Support musicians and entertainers working in the West End

Parking charges from the City of Westminster Council may not seem of much interest to Eastbourne trades unionists, but, as raised by Musicians Union delegate to Eastbourne Trades Council Roy Martin at the last meeting, the decision to impose steep parking charges is having a hugely detrimental effect on gigging musicians and other entertainers from across the South East.

The London Evening Standard reported that an independent study by respected independent City forecaster the Centre for Economics and Business Research predicted that introducing the evening charges would cost the West End's economy £800m and would lead to the loss of 5,100 jobs. Tory-run Westminster council did not carry out its own economic impact research before it rubber stamped the new restrictions on 1 August.

A demonstration against the proposed Westminster Parking Charges took place in London’s West End on Thursday 2nd December. Despite the rain and the cold, MU members from West End shows such as Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Ghost, Blood Brothers together with orchestral players and BBC Concert Orchestra members turned out to leaflet the public and raise awareness of this imposed tax on employment and entertainment. Union officials were joined by Equity officials, casino workers and a defiant arrival from the Motorcycle Community all to join forces in this process. Lord Richard Bradford on behalf of the restaurant industry and Labour Leader Paul Dimoldenberg added their support.

All trade unionists are encouraged to show solidarity with their MU and Equity colleagues as well as the many other workers in the West End whose livelihoods are threatened by this move.