Variety Artistes' Federation
The Variety Artistes' Federation was a trade union representing variety performers in the 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.
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.General Secretaries
