Construction crews accept pay offer

Film industry construction crews have voted solidly to accept a pay review which starts with a cost-of-living 4.6% pay rise in the first year.

Members voted 81% in favour of the offer, with 19% against, in the consultative ballot which closed yesterday.

BECTU has informed the producers' association, PACT, of the result of the ballot; the pay increase, for this first year of a three-year deal, is due to take effect from next week.

In year two, 2009/10, basic rates will rise by 3%, followed by an increase in line with RPI in 2010/11.

Less than two months ago BECTU and the producers were at a stalemate, largely due to the producers' demand for crews to work "any 5 days out of 7" on location.

However, at an open members of construction crews at Pinewood Studios in June, members supported their committee's proposal to give it one last try by going to ACAS. This move created a new atmosphere, the employers withdrew their "any 5 of 7" demand, and the new offer, now accepted, was tabled.

BECTU’s Assistant General Secretary, Martin Spence, said: "This is a good deal for construction crews members and for the film industry."