UNITED COMEDIANS OF AMERICA — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F

“Comedy Is Labor. Comedians Are Workers.”

❓ 1. Why do comedians even need a union?

Because stand-up is the only major entertainment field with:

No minimum pay
No standard contracts
No safety protections
No enforcement
No representation
No health or financial support

Actors, writers, musicians, dancers, and stage performers all have unions.
Comedians deserve the same protection.

❓ 2. Do I have to stop doing open mics or free shows?

No.
Open mics, practice rooms, and development shows will ALWAYS be free.

UCA only regulates:

Paid shows
Ticketed events
Club weekends
Festivals
Venue-backed productions

Stage time is stage time. Exploitation is different.

❓ 3. How much are dues?

UCA offers simple, affordable tiers:

UCA Member: $5/month
UCA Pro Member: $10/month
UCA Ally: Optional donation
Lifetime Founder: $250 one-time (no dues ever)

Fair. Sustainable. Transparent.

❓ 4. What do dues pay for?

Your dues fund:

Legal representation
Contract enforcement
Club certification standards
Safety & harassment investigations
Dispute mediation
Website & tech infrastructure
Emergency relief fund
Education & workshops
National organizing

This is a real labor organization, not a cash grab.

❓ 5. What if I’m broke?

We get it. Every comedian has been broke.

UCA offers:

Hardship waivers
Temporary free membership
Payment plans
Sponsored dues

No comedian is denied protection because of money.

❓ 6. Can clubs retaliate if I join the union?

No.
Anti-retaliation is a core union protection.

If a club:

Drops you
Bans you
Cancels you
Stops booking you

because you’re in UCA —
the union steps in with legal action, public accountability, and network support.

❓ 7. Does the union ban comedians from working at certain clubs?

No.
UCA does not ban comedians — it holds clubs accountable.

Comedians can work anywhere.
Clubs must meet standards for certain types of paid shows.

❓ 8. What about comics who WANT to work for free?

They still can.

But:

They cannot replace paid union positions
They cannot headline or feature at union-certified clubs for free
They cannot be used to dodge minimum pay

Free work is for leveling up. Paid work is for professionals.

❓ 9. Do I need a certain number of years in comedy to join?

No.

If you step on stage and call yourself a comedian —
you deserve rights and support.

Open mic comics, rising comics, club comics, and touring comics all belong.

❓ 10. What do I actually GET as a member?

Members receive access to:

Legal protection
Contract templates
Safety support
Dispute mediation
Career resources
Talent directory listing
Priority booking through certified clubs
Workshops & seminars
National union updates
Member-only events

Plus the power of collective action behind you.

❓ 11. What if I don’t want to be involved in “union politics”?

That’s fine.

Membership does not require activism.
You can join simply for:

Protection
Resources
Money
Networking

The union works whether you’re loud or quiet.

❓ 12. Are dues tax deductible?

Yes.

Like other professional unions, UCA dues qualify as a business expense.
Write it off.

❓ 13. Can I still negotiate my own higher pay?

Absolutely.

Union minimums are minimums, not caps.

If you can get:

$200 as a host
$500 as a feature
$1,500 as a headliner

Get it.
The union just makes sure clubs can’t offer less.

❓ 14. What if a club refuses to participate in UCA?

They can still exist.

But they will:

Lose access to union talent
Lose credibility
Be publicly identified
Struggle to book quality performers

Most clubs comply.
Public pressure works.

❓ 15. How do I sign up?

Membership will open soon.

You’ll join through:
👉 UCAofficial.org

Choose your tier.
Fill out the application.
Get your digital union card.

You’re in.