Musicians' Union (MU)

@wearethemu

The UK's only trade union for musicians A community 36,500 strong ‼️ Urgent enquiry? Contact the MU at 🎨 Cover art by Malini Chakrabarty

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Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jul 7

Freelance musicians! Are you ready for Making Tax Digital? ⏰ Submit your first quarterly update to HMRC by Friday 7 August ❓This applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50k in 2024/25 🔗 Find out more at theMU.org/MTDfIT #FreelanceMusicians

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jul 2

🌱 Career opportunities for musicians and MU members 🧵👇

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jun 19

Did you know refugee musicians can access one year of free MU membership? Musicians escaping famine, conflict, and persecution should still be able to continue building their career in the UK 🔗 theMU.org/Refugee-Membership 🔁 Do you know a refugee musician? Share this post #RefugeeWeek

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jun 18

How we can make gigs more inclusive for Autistic musicians and listeners? Autism consultant Robyn Rocket offers tips for venues, promoters and gig-goers to be more accommodating 👉 https://ow.ly/OPlj50ZcL2P #AutisticPrideDay

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jun 15

💛 Take part in 10 simple acts this #RefugeeWeek to stand with those seeking sanctuary and connect with your community Interested in doing more? Explore the resource packs to organise your own event and get young people + local businesses involved

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Jun 2

How can university music departments fight against funding cuts and course closures? 💡Our new toolkit, co-written with Music Mark, helps colleagues demonstrate the important of music courses when facing closure or staff reductions 🔗 Free download at theMU.org/ChampioningUniversityMusic

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· May 21

❤️ May is #StrokeAwarenessMonth We're sharing expert advice on how strokes affect musicians differently and why prevention is so important Our blog with Dr Finola Ryan, Consultant Occupational Physician & BAPAM Medical Director, explores the signs, risks and recovery 🔗theMU.org/StrokeAndMusicians

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· May 17

It's the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia! A day to recognise how far we've come in the fight for equality & inclusion + how far we still have to go Explore resources for LGBT+ musicians and for allies to better support colleagues 🔗 theMU.org/lgbt-musicians #IDAHOBIT

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· May 12

This week we're at The Great Escape Festival Conference, speaking on panels exploring: 🎤 AI, streaming, media & touring 🎤 Building safer music communities PPL and PRS will also hold an artist showcase celebrating 20 years of the International Showcase Fund 🔗 https://ow.ly/pBeI50YY6NN

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· May 10

❗Northern Ireland’s restrictive alcohol licensing rules are making it harder for new music venues to open and for musicians to earn a living That’s why we’re supporting Free The Night Learn more about the campaign and sign their open letter 🔗 https://ow.ly/77t850YWEpy #FreeTheNight

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· May 9

It's almost been 10 years since the Brexit referendum For the Fabian Society, MU Gen Sec Naomi Pohl explores the impact of Brexit on musicians - and what the Government needs to do to honour its manifesto promise to get musicians touring in the EU again 🔗 Free download: https://ow.ly/EHaK50YWCQN

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 23

"In 1990, Glasgow was awarded the title “City of Culture.” Today, that title feels less like a promise and more like a memory we are failing to live up to" MU delegate @aarockiam.bsky.social moves Emergency Motion 3 on defending cultural infrastructure, workers and communities at #STUC26

In the foreground, Ankna speaks at a lectern. She's wearing a patterned top and dark trousers. Behind her is a stage with a red backdrop and screens and S.T.U.C. pennant flags above. On the left of the stage is a B.S.L. interpreter. Centre stage are the conference chairs (people) at a table marked "S.T.U.C. 129th Annual Congress. On the right of the stage is an empty lectern. Dotted around the stage are speakers, lights and extra red chairs (furniture).

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 22

"Our labour must not be use for imperialist gain" Thanks to @benlunn.bsky.social for moving the composite motion on international solidarity, seconded by Glasgow Trades Union Council and supported by North Lanarkshire Trades Union Council #STUC26

In the foreground, Ben speaks at a podium. He's wearing a grey jumper and dark trousers. Behind him is a stage with a red backdrop and screens and S.T.U.C. pennant flags above. Onstage are the conference chairs (people) sat at a table marked "S.T.U.C. 129th Annual Congress and on the right of the stage is an empty lectern. Dotted around the stage are speakers, lights and extra red seats.

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 22

"Music is something that came before fire, tools, the wheel and weapons. It's deep in us and it’s one of the best ways we come to learn to be human" 🎵Everyone should have free and equal access to participatory music-making🎵 Thanks to MU member Giles for a powerful speech on music as a human right!

In the foreground, Giles speaks at a podium. He's wearing a light brown jacket and black trousers. Behind him is a stage with a red backdrop and screens and S.T.U.C. pennant flags above. On the left of the stage is a B.S.L. interpreter, stage centre are the conference chairs sat at a table marked "S.T.U.C. 129th Annual Congress and on the right of the stage is an empty lectern. Dotted around the stage are speakers, lights and extra red chairs.

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 22

"I want to take this opportunity to thank ferry workers for the work they do for us with commitment, courage and grace" Ferries are a lifeline to island communities - and shape education, careers and health outcomes At #STUC26, MU member Giles Perring backs investment in Scotland's ferries

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 21

“Big Tech’s model is built on predatory simplicity: take everything, ask for nothing, pay no-one” MU delegate @aarockiam.bsky.social spoke in support of a motion by @pcsunion.bsky.social on AI and workplace protection

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 21

First Minister of Scotland @johnswinney.bsky.social set out his vision for the people of Scotland ahead of the May elections: “You are the link between the working people of Scotland and their government”

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 21

📣 Fair Work for freelancers! "Fair, secure and sustainable work in the arts is not a luxury – it is essential to a thriving cultural life in Scotland" MU delegate @calumbairdsongs.bsky.social seconds a motion on fair work to tackle low pay, exploitation and precarity for creative freelancers

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 21

Everyone - including musicians - should be able to travel safely using public transport, regardless of the time of day MU delegate @benlunn.bsky.social spoke in support of a motion from @rmtunion.bsky.social calling for safer public transport in Scotland

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 21

Irish Congress of Trade Unions General Secretary @owenreidy.bsky.social addressed Congress this morning, highlighting the huge parallels between our movements and countries 🗣️"Our values don’t stop at some border - we are internationalists to the core"

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 20

“We do have to confront the issues that Reform use to divide us. Scotland’s best days lie ahead of us” Scottish Labour leader @anassarwar.bsky.social addressed Congress on the dangers that the far right poses to unity and collectivism - values that are core to the trade union movement

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 20

We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow creative unions @equityuk.bsky.social @nujofficial.bsky.social @bectu.bsky.social and the Scottish Artists Union ✊ Fair work for all!

A group of people standing on the steps of the Caird Hall in Dundee, posing for a group photo. They are all wearing matching red lanyards .

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 20

We're in Dundee for @scottishtuc.bsky.social's Annual Congress! Our motions focus on music as a human right, international solidarity, and how Fair Work applies to creative freelancers #STUC26

Photo of Lord Provost Bill Campbell providing a civic welcome to Congress. In the centre is a stage with a red backdrop with screens and S.T.U.C. pennant flags above. Stage left is a B.S.L. interpreter, stage centre are the chairs sat at a table marked "S.T.U.C. 129th Annual Congress and stage right is the Lord Provost speaking from a lectern. In the foreground are rows of delegates. In the background are the walls and ornate artwork of a historic building.

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 16

Learn more about their campaign and sign the petition 🔗 bit.ly/4tMjB88 📸: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments

Photo of a campaigner in a yellow t-shirt giving a passer by a leaflet about the Westminster Council: Back Your Buskers campaign in a busy Leicester Square, London

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 16

🔇 Today marks 1 year of the Leicester Square busking ban Since then, buskers have been building a positive, grassroots community campaign and we are proud to have their backs 📸: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 15

🗳️ The biggest set of elections since 2024 are taking place on Thursday 7 May It includes elections to the Scottish Parliament, Senedd, 136 local councils and six mayoralties ⏰Register to vote in person before Monday 20 April Register to vote 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Apr 10

How can we better support creative freelancers? Our new guide helps employers and freelancers create healthier environments, reflect union good practice and communicate openly 💛 👇 Free download: theMU.org/EngagingCreativeFreelancers #FreelanceMusicians

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Mar 25

✊3 days to go until we march together 📅 Saturday 28 March, 12pm start 🗺️ Assembly at Park Lane, Central London 📍 The MU is in the Trade Union Bloc C, Position 8 More info at theMU.org/TogetherMarch #Together

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Mar 23

Did you know that about 400m people globally and 2m people in the UK have Long Covid? Explore our free resources, including ℹ️ guidance on your rights at work 📋 template Access Riders to help start conversations about your access needs 🔗 https://ow.ly/vE1M50YwSHg #LongCovidAwarenessMonth

Graphic with a teal background. At the top, large black text with yellow highlight says "400m". Underneath, smaller white text says "There are around 400m people living with Long Covid worldwide, including almost 2m people in the UK". Below in italics are links to sources in Nature Medicine and the Office of National Statistics

Musicians' Union (MU)@wearethemu· Mar 22

A recent Scottish Trades Union Congress report found that 1 in 3 creative freelancers in Scotland have experienced non-payment for work ✊Musicians deserve binding contracts, fair pay, and quality of work and life ✉️ Email your MP using our template letter 🔗 theMU.org/MusiciansManifestoForScotland