Producers’ trade body Pact has invited commissioners to a summit to discuss the ramifications of the rejection by BECTU members of new terms and conditions with the independent producers it represents.

Pact is organising the meeting with streamers and broadcasters, including the PSBs and Sky, next week to discuss what will happen when the current agreement between the indies and BECTU members runs out on 1 September.

BECTU sent new proposals to Pact this week including renewed calls for no weekend working without crew approval and no overtime without crew approval. Separately, BECTU has also sent further points to Pact that it wants clarifying from the offer just rejected.

Max Rumney, Pact Deputy CEO and Director of Business Affairs, said all queries are being answered but: “The rejection by BECTU members of the new terms and conditions creates a problem that the independent producers cannot resolve on their own.

“Heads of production are clear that demands such as no weekend working without crew approval and no overtime without crew approval will damage the ability to schedule and, in some cases, make it impossible to produce within budgets agreed.

“Historically, the rates of pay in the sector reflected recognition of the need for some antisocial hours due to factors including the availability of locations and actors.

“If BECTU’s priority is now to address the work-life balance, the question is how that can be funded. It will require a broader look at the financing and scheduling of production, and not simply a revision of terms and conditions alone.”

 

Jon Creamer

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