Variety Artistes' Federation
The Variety Artistes' Federation (VAF) was a trade union representing variety performers in the United Kingdom.
| Founded | 1906 |
|---|---|
| Date dissolved | 1966 |
| Merged into | Equity |
| Members | 4,000 (1906) |
| Journal | The Performer |
| Affiliation | TUC, IFVA |
| Office location | 18 Charing Cross Road, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
The union was founded in 1906, and within weeks had 4,000 members. This gave it the confidence to launch strikes in twenty-two London theatres, with around half of the members standing on picket lines. It raised funds by organising a performance at the Scala Theatre, its members working without pay. It agreed to arbitration, chaired by George Askwith, and this proved a success for the union, which reached national agreements on codes of conduct, contracts and dispute resolution.[1]
Membership of the union gradually declined, as many music halls closed, and by 1966 it had about 2,000 members. That year, it merged into the British Actors' Equity Association.[1]
General Secretaries
- 1906: Charles Gulliver
- 1907: Monte Bayly
- 1908:
- 1909: W. H. Clemert
- 1910: J. E. Barry
- 1910s: Fred Herbert
- 1927: Monte Bayly
- 1929: A. V. Drewe
- W. C. Bass
- 1953: Frank J. Comerford
- 1954: Reginald Swinson
See also
References
- Marsh, Arthur; Ryan, Victoria (1980). Historical Directory of Trade Unions. 1. Farnborough: Gower. p. 224. ISBN 0566021609.