Relations Between U.K. Crew Union, Producers’ Body Deteriorate Further as Negotiations Stall
variety.comK.J. Yossman Negotiations between U.K. crew union Bectu and producers’ body Pact over high end TV terms have deteriorated further.The current agreement runs out on Sept.
1 and the two organizations are currently negotiating to come to terms on a new one.Earlier this month Bectu voted to reject Pact’s latest proposal, which had been under negotiation for 10 months, citing a lack of clarity over some of the terms.
According to Pact, this week Bectu leaders also rejected plans for a four-week extension of the current agreement, allowing more time to negotiate.With a new deal now looking unlikely in the next two weeks, Pact has issued a “Red Book,” in which it sets out recommended terms and conditions for engaging crew when the existing agreement ends.
Pact says the recommendations include concessions regarding work-life balance, such as shorter working days and enhanced payments for anti-social working hours such as night shoots and public holidays. “We are very disappointed that these serious efforts to get all sides around the table have been rejected by some of the Bectu branches despite the efforts of the union leaders,” said John McVay, CEO of Pact. “We are always willing to get back around the table if circumstances change.
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