In what possibly is a first for the fashion industry, a group of models are seeking unionisation from the British Actors' Equity, a trade union that represents stage and film performers and artists.
Martin Brown, a spokesman for Equity which started placing models on their books last week, told WWD that a group of models had approached the union with a list of work-related complaints, asking for "a voice" in the workplace.
"They told us they rarely see any contracts, or know what they are really being paid for a job," he said. "They complained about not being offered proper breaks or food, and not being consulted in advance about topless shots or simulated sex," he said.
While he did not reveal the names of the models who had approached him, Brown did say that they were well-known and "at the top of the tree". Equity will also be working in conjunction with the British Fashion Council to produce standards of decency for the industry.
Considering the ongoing issues in the modelling industry relating to all manner of workplace problems, especially with young and inexperienced models, I'm surprised a model union hasn't been established sooner. What do you think? Do you believe that models deserve to be unionised?
[Source / Catwalking.com]
