Freelance troubles at Televideo OBs

Scottish freelance members have raised concerns with BECTU over the activities of Sheffield-based outside broadcast company Televideo.

Televideo has a number of contracts to provide outside broadcast services for football. In Scotland their primary contract relates to the sports package provided to customers of BT Visions.

For some time now, freelances in Scotland have had an unwritten agreement with companies including Televideo, BT Visions, MNE and Setanta that the daily rate for a camera operator is £320.

However, freelances are now reporting a growing list of unpaid invoices by Televideo; Televideo has also, it is said, stopped using Scottish freelances and instead are hiring crews from Sheffield at £250 per day.

In addition to working for £70 less each day, the crews from Yorkshire face a daily round trip of eight hours plus a minimum nine hour working day.

BECTU is concerned not only about the downward pressure on rates, but also about the health and safety risks to fellow crews brought on by the combination of long hours and excessive travel.

Scottish Organiser Paul McManus commented: "This is exactly the type of situation the industry needs to stamp out.

“How many posters do we need to publish of smashed up cars and grieving families, before employers and freelance workers understand that this working practice is unsafe?”

This development is particularly galling as it comes at a time when responsible OB companies are in discussions with BECTU about raising health and safety standards.

“These crews are also selling themselves and BECTU members short when they accept such massive undercutting of the established rate.”

“BECTU has shown time and time again that if freelances stand together they can protect and improve their rates of pay. I would urge these crews to stop helping companies like Televideo to drive down wages," concluded Paul McManus.

BECTU understands that Televideo has lost a number of contracts recently. BECTU is actively pursuing payment for members with outstanding invoices.