Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
banner
zitaholbourne.bsky.social
Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
@zitaholbourne.bsky.social
96 followers 190 following 19 posts
Multi-award winning multidisciplinary artist, equality and human rights campaigner, community activist, trade union leader.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
“Black History Month is an opportunity for our arts and culture sector to honour the work that generations of Black artists and communities have done, to shine a light on struggles and victories but to also say no to racism."

Scroll to read the full message from our Co-Chair, Zita Holbourne.
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Last week, our members gathered for our Annual General Meeting, to propose and vote on motions to shape the next year of the union’s policies and campaigns. This year, four proposals were passed. Read them in full here: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/annual-gener...

#tradeunion #solidarity
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
AUE has signed a letter urging Baroness Jones, leading Minister on the Employment Rights Bill in the House of Lords, to take the opportunity provided by this Bill to tackle sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace directly. Read it here: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/news/
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Only 36.9% of artists who responded to our 2024 membership survey work from a studio.

Read about the challenges artists face when seeking a studio to rent in ‘From “Hand To Mouth” to Bread and Roses’, a report on artists’ lives by Industria and AUE: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/from-hand-to...
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
"For our labour, skills, talent and essential contribution to all lives, we deserve the whole loaf and roses in bloom."

Read ‘From “Hand To Mouth” to Bread and Roses’, a new report on artists’ lives by Industria, commissioned and published by AUE: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/from-hand-to...
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Organising as artists is essential to push back against the 'art world' and ensure fair pay, good working conditions and sustainable futures for all. Read ‘From “Hand To Mouth” to Bread and Roses’, a new report on artists’ lives by Industria and AUE: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/from-hand-to...
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Too many employers think it’s okay to pay their freelancers after their invoice is due. Use this email template to help you get paid on time. And remember to let your employer know you’re a member of AUE. We can help you chase your payment! www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/rates-of-pay/
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Huge thanks to AUE member Sean Roy Parker for sharing this quote. Our casework, legal support, rates of pay guidelines and campaign work is making a difference to artists’ lives. The more members we unite, the more power we’ll have to fight for change. Join AUE now: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
‘From “Hand To Mouth” to Bread and Roses’, a new report on artists’ lives by Industria, commissioned and published by Artists’ Union England. Read for free now: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/from-hand-to...
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Our Co-Chair Zita Holbourne and delegates Antonietta Torsiello and Federico Ramos spoke at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference, challenging systemic racism and campaigning against the disproportionate impacts of low pay on Black artists. Join AUE now: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
On #WorldRefugeeDay, AUE opposes disgraceful government policies and urges communities to stand up for the human rights of people displaced and forced to flee for their lives.

Swipe to read our Co-Chair Zita Holbourne’s statement, or read it on our website: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/news/
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Today is #WindrushDay, which honours the contributions and highlights the struggles still faced by the Windrush Generation and descendants. Swipe to read an extract from our Co-Chair Zita Holbourne’s statement, and read the full text on our website: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/news/
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
We developed rates of pay guidelines to help artists know how much to charge for their time. But time isn’t the only thing artists need to take into account! Follow these guidelines to make sure you know how much to charge, and how to break down your fee: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk/rates-of-pay/
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Alone, we’re just one artist working in an incredibly unstable industry. Together, we’re a voice that can call for change. Join Artists’ Union England now for just £48 per year: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk

#artistsunionengland #artistslife #artworkiswork
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Our Co-Chair Zita Holbourne and delegates Antonietta Torsiello and Federico Ramos represented AUE at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference, campaigning against systemic racism and the disproportionate impacts of low pay on Black Artists. Join the 1900+ members of AUE now: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
AI devalues the skill of artists, with original work and intellectual property stolen and abused. Our Co-Chair Zita Holbourne moved a motion which was passed by the GFTU at their Bienniale, urging our fellow unions to campaign for AI regulation. Join AUE now: www.artistsunionengland.org.uk
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Motion 11 | Protect Drivers from Exploitation by App Companies | UK Private Hire Drivers Union | Muhumed Ali

Motion passed unanimously.

Read the full motion here: gftu.org.uk/bgcm2025/

#BGCM2025 #GFTU
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Privileged to have Lord John Hendy KC join us as a speaker at our #BGCM today, speaking on the #EmploymentRightsBill.

#BGCM2025 #GFTU #ERB
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Proud to host Luke & Mike, reps of @unitetheunion.bsky.social for only 20 weeks, who have been participating in the #BirminghamBinStrike.

"Is it hard being on strike?" "Ask my wife."

✊We stand with all members taking action.

It's time this Gov & @cllrjohncotton.bsky.social #StopTheCuts
#BGCM2025
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Motion 10 | Representing Self-Employed workers | @artistsunioneng.bsky.social | Zita Holbourne

Motion passed unanimously.

Read the full motion here: gftu.org.uk/bgcm2025/

#BGCM2025 #GFTU
Reposted by Zita Holbourne; Poet~Artist~Activist~Author
Motion 12 | AI – democratic accountability, national and international regulation and workers’ rights | @artistsunioneng.bsky.social | Zita Holbourne

Motion passed unanimously.

Read the full motion here: gftu.org.uk/bgcm2025/

#BGCM2025 #GFTU