Proposed rule changes and policy propositions 2003
Listed on this page are proposed rule changes and policy propositions submitted by Branches and the union's National Executive Committee (NEC) accepted and rejected by Conference Standing Orders Committee (SOC), along with reasons for rejection.
BECTU Branches can submit amendments to these proposals using the forms enclosed with Conference Document 2 (2002-03) dated 10 February 2003. The closing date for such amendments is 1200 on 13 March 2003.
- Proposed rule changes submitted by the NEC under BECTU Rule 45(b) [special rules session] accepted by the SOC
- Propositions accepted by the SOC
- Propositions rejected by the SOC
Proposed rule changes accepted by the SOC
SRS 1 Student membership
That this annual conference in a special rules session approves the following alteration to rule under rule 45(b):
Rule 6(c)
Delete subclause (i) in its entirety and substitute:
"In furtherance of rule 5(d) the union shall endeavour to support relevant sector skills councils, training providers and students by supplying, so far as resources permit, trade union and industry information and opinion, and by encouraging students to take an active interest in the work of the union and to become members when they complete their courses."
SRS 2 Definition of paid-up member
That this annual conference in a special rules session approves the following alteration to rule under rule 45(b):
Rule 11(a)
Delete "eight weeks" and insert "six months"; delete last sentence.
Consequentially,
in rule 12(a) delete "eight weeks" and insert "six months", and
in rule 12(b) delete "eight weeks but less than"
Enabling motion [not susceptible to amendment]
As part of its report to conference SOC will propose, at the conclusion of the business of the special rules session, the following enabling motion:
"Conference adopts and approves the rules of BECTU as altered at the special rules session of this annual conference, subject to the incorporation of such numbering, cross-referencing, grammatical and other consequential changes of text as are required to implement the alterations to rules."
Propositions accepted by the SOC
AP1 Venue of conference
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to convene the 2005 annual conference in London.
AP2 Venue of conference
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to investigate the feasibility of holding conference in 2005 in other regions or nations, in particular at the Conference Centre in Llandudno in North Wales.
AP3 Venue of conference
That this annual conference recommends that the National Executive Committee considers a venue outside England for the 2005 conference.
AP4 Non-union business
That this annual conference proposes that, despite pressing matters of national and international political concern, discussion time during annual conference should be confined to matters of immediate relevance to working practices and conditions of BECTU members.
AP5 Collective responsibility
That this annual conference, recognising that real debate is stifled by the absence of any contributions by individual members of the National Executive Committee, resulting from the invidious rule of collective responsibility (which is not included in the rule book of the union), affirms its own right to decide who and who not should be allowed to engage in conference debates.
AP6 Women's working committee
That this annual conference calls for a women's conference to be held within six months to encourage women members to become activists, and to discuss the feasibility of asking the National Executive Committee to form a women's working committee in line with the disability and black members' working committees.
AP7 Debate
That this annual conference expresses its concern at the lack of candidates standing for the offices of both General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary. This suggests a general contentment with the management of BECTU, which is very much not the case. Apathy is not a healthy state in any union and calls for urgent debate to discuss the reasons for its existence.
AP8 Health and safety officer
That this annual conference urges BECTU to create a full time Health and Safety Officer's post within the union, and to give a commitment that this post will be in place prior to next annual conference.
SOC note: SOC has rejected as excessive argument the following text after "annual conference." (the branch is urged to consider compositing with or amending AP9 following):
"BECTU needs a full time Health and Safety Officer for three key reasons:
- to facilitate the regular and accurate administration of the representatives and training databases;
- to provide support for all members across the divisions, bearing in mind the imminent changes of health and safety legislation, particularly the introduction of 'roving safety reps';
- and to realise the full potential of health and safety representation and support, as proven by TUC/LRD research and studies, as a major incentive and tool for the recruitment and retention of members."
AP9 Health and safety
That this annual conference examine the financial possibility of appointing a dedicated full time Health and Safety official, and look into the setting up of a safety reps network or similar, where union safety reps in different branches can contact each other, share resources, and support one another in taking a more proactive rule in health and safety in our industry.
AP10 Training
That this annual conference welcomes the implementation of the ACAS guidelines for the time off and training of Union Learning Representatives. Conference instructs the National Executive Committee further to investigate innovative ways of implementing the new guidelines into the working lives of freelances in our industries.
SOC note: SOC urges the branch to consider compositing with AP11 following
AP11 Training
That this annual conference welcomes the implementation of the ACAS guidelines for the time off and training of Union Learning Representatives. Conference recognises that for the foreseeable future the role of Union Learning Reps in BECTU recognised workplaces will become increasingly important for our workplace organisation and membership growth. Conference therefore resolves to support and encourage the learning agenda in the following ways:
- to seek to include provision for Union Learning Reps in all existing and future recognition agreements;
- to encourage the negotiation of learning agreements at BECTU recognised workplaces;
- to strongly encourage all committees of the union to include education and training on every agenda.
AP12 Stage Screen & Radio diary
That this annual conference recommends that the union journal Stage Screen & Radio should include a monthly events diary where branches and committees could post notice of scheduled meetings; alternatively such information could be included in appropriate newsletters such as the BBC Informer.
AP13 Membership records
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to place a greater priority on the quality of the union's membership records and administration, to ensure that the union retains its existing membership, recruits new members, and receives its due income.
AP14 Expenditure
That this annual conference recognises that members frequently complain that they see little tangible evidence of how their subscriptions are spent, and instructs the National Executive Committee to find ways to bring such members back 'on board', possibly by publishing expenditure statistics as part of a 'State of the Union' direct mailshot to members. This mailshot could also detail BECTU's achievements over the last year.
AP15 Head office
That this annual conference believes that the new HQ in Clapham should be better exploited as a benefit to the membership. The National Executive Committee should consider encouraging ordinary members to meet there socially throughout the year, perhaps with one large organised annual event.
AP16 Property
That this annual conference notes the plans to develop the Clapham Road HQ, and requests that any profits made be used to benefit members directly, possibly through a rebate on their subscriptions.
AP17 Wardour Street
That this annual conference applauds BECTU's smooth transition to Clapham and expresses its satisfaction with the premises there. It nevertheless recognises 111 Wardour Street as being the union's principal asset and its flagship in the West End, and records the intention that it should remain so.
AP18 West End drop-in centre
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to conduct a feasibility study into turning the old reception area in Wardour Street into a drop-in centre [as a facility for members].
SOC note: SOC has added the words in square brackets in place of the following text which it has rejected as excessive argument not addressed to conference:
"The shop front window could act as an obvious form of advertising for BECTU. Inside would be a reception area, computers linked to the BECTU website, on brochures on the benefits of joining as well as literature of benefit to existing members such as breaking news. There should be informal seating and a discreet meeting area for use by members which could be booked in advance or used on a first come first served basis. A member of BECTU staff could act as receptionist and be on hand to advise visitors. The computers would be set up to inform on a wide variety of subjects, and could be free to BECTU members with - possibly - a fee levied for use of leaflets and services to non members. 'On the spot' joining of the union could be offered. After hours members could enter via the use of 'membership swipe cards' or by entering their membership number as a PIN (similar to systems used in bank foyers for access to ATM cash point facilities).
Such a scheme would send a clear and positive signal that not only is BECTU still alive and relevant but it is building for the future from the very heart of the UK audio-visual and theatre industries. It would show that BECTU means BUSINESS and would undoubtedly have a positive effect on our membership."
AP19 Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
That this annual conference, in the interest of equal opportunities, lobbies the TUC to recognise Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as individual nations in their paperwork and policies, and ceases to refer to these nations as either TUC 'regions', or 'regions' of England.
AP20 Northern Ireland
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to give equal access to services from the union at national level by setting up an office in Northern Ireland, as soon as funds allow it.
AP21 Labour Party and Northern Ireland
That this annual conference calls on the Labour Party to acknowledge the right of anyone to be a member of the Labour Party, and no longer to discriminate against people living in Northern Ireland.
AP22 Political fund
That this annual conference notes that the Labour government:
- is involved in an increasing number of confrontations with public sector workers seeking better pay and conditions;
- is continuing to pursue policies of privatisation and cuts, and ignoring popular demands for return of services such as the railways to democratic control;
- has failed to improve educational standards while making it harder for working people to get access to a full education;
- has continually sought advisors from the ranks of wealthy employers, rather than from representatives of the unions that fund the Labour Party.
- to look for alternative electoral organisations and individuals that are prepared to represent the interests of union members in Parliament;
- to report to members on what such organisations and individuals exist;
- to offer members the chance to vote on whether BECTU should continue with affiliation to the Labour Party or should open up its political fund to support those organisations and individuals that better represent our members whether on a national or local level.
AP23 Communications Bill
That this annual conference deplores the continuing trend to cut back on the quality and quantity of programme-making in the regions, and is particularly concerned that this will accelerate with the implementation of the Communications Bill.
AP24 General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
That this annual conference notes the threat of privatisation that GATS poses to our public services including the broadcasting industry. Conference therefore instructs the National Executive Committee to pursue a vigorous campaign against GATS and to send a delegation of BECTU members to the 2003 European Social Forum as part of that campaign.
SOC note: SOC has rejected as excessive argument the following text after "broadcasting industry.":
"This conference also notes the success of the 2002 European Social Forum in Florence which was attended by 60,000 people including trade unionists and NGOs from across Europe."
AP25 War in Iraq
That this annual conference is alarmed at the repeated attempts by the government to launch a war in Iraq that will cause yet more suffering to ordinary Iraqis, and at the questionable means that have been used to gain international support for such a war. Conference also notes the huge demonstrations against such a war organised by the Stop the War Coalition and therefore instructs the National Executive Committee to affiliate to the Stop the War Coalition.
AP26 Working time
That this annual conference instructs the National Executive Committee to commission research on the ways employers seek to avoid their obligations to provide paid holidays from day one of employment and to monitor the methods used in 2003 to circumvent the 48 hour week.
Propositions rejected by the SOC
RP1 Equal opportunities
That this annual conference asks the National Executive Committee to review the recruitment and membership rules with the aim of ensuring all persons who are members and those who wish to join can fully support and be actively engaged in the promotion of the equal opportunities policy platform this union and the wider union movement have campaigned for over the past many years. Such policies are intrinsic to the very life and purpose of a modern trade union and form a non-negotiable part of its work.
It is our view that persons who are members of the British National Party and other known racist organisations cannot fully support BECTU's equal opportunities policy, and by their membership of such organisations as the BNP they actively work against the interests of our stated policies. Therefore they cannot be seen as truly active and committed members and should be refused membership.
SOC's reason for rejection: SOC considers this proposition to be in contravention of human rights and therefore in itself inconsistent with rule 5(l)
RP2 Equal opportunities
That this annual conference demands that current members and former active members of any lodge of Freemasons should declare such membership at the time of joining BECTU (or subsequent to joining) and asked to declare their full support for the equal opportunities and work of BECTU.
Any member that has been found to have made a false declaration should be expelled from the union following the normal procedures for the said expulsion as laid out in BECTU's rule book.
SOC's reason for rejection: SOC considers this proposition to be in contravention of human rights and therefore in itself inconsistent with rule 5(l)
RP3 Information
That this annual conference decides that the following measures be taken:
A Information Officer
In line with other large organisations, BECTU should have an Information Officer to keep track of movements and developments of interest to the union. Their role would be to act as a two-way central point of information for both staff and members - collating and disseminating information. They would incorporate the role of, or inform, a Press and Publicity Officer - advising the media and other interested parties of BECTU's official position on topics and qualifying the position of other organisations.
B Database
A database shall be created - perhaps as part of the role of the aforementioned Information Officer - to facilitate C below.
C 'Family Tree'
A Film and Television 'Family Tree' should be produced to include ALL bodies, affiliations, unions, broadcasters and such that make up the Film and Television industry, in order to map the various bodies and their relation to each another. One would hope to see BECTU sitting at the heart but this would only be confirmed by the completing exercise. Beside each name might be a brief description and contact details. Such a graphic depiction of the organisations would not only be of benefit to new entrants seeking a way in, or to producers looking for development funding: it would also help BECTU identify its position and develop its roles. It could be invaluable in ascertaining who our potential strategic partners are and delegating remits. Where overlaps exist streamlining measures could be adopted to improve efficiency in order to save union funds by allowing our allies to shoulder responsibility for actions to which they are better suited for collective benefit. An example of this might be where two bodies unite to petition the government. The information should be collated digitally but could be presented in the form of a simple wall poster with an ever-growing in-depth version with hypertext links on the Website to be developed later.
D Production Flow Charts
A 'Production Flow Charts' for Film, Television, New Media etc. should be produced based on the above in the form of a wall chart to assist members seeking support in taking the various routes of production from idea through to distribution.
NOTE: BECTU can draw on the huge experience and intellectual resource of the membership to help create the above, its primary role to act as the conduit of information and its administration."
SOC's reason for rejection: SOC finds the proposition in part obscure, in part concerned with matters outside the objects of the union, in part already existing union policy, and in part not addressed to conference.
RP4 Health and safety
That this annual conference recognises and tackles the fact that FAA members are unfairly discriminated against by not having the protection afforded to Equity and Musicians Union members with regard to the right of their officials to act as union safety reps wherever one of their members is employed.
SOC's reason for rejection: the proposition is specific to FAA members and can be more advantageously dealt with by remission to the London Production division; SOC recommends the branch to support or amend accepted proposition AP8 or any composite of AP8 and AP9.
RP5 Branch expenses
That this annual conference recommends that the National Executive Committee issues specific guidelines for the use of branch funds thereby obviating the need for all branch spending to be NEC-approved.
SOC's reason for rejection: inconsistent with rule 28(c), which cannot be obviated by decision of the National Executive Committee.
RP6 Subscriptions
That this annual conference notes the difficulty the union faces in retaining members on higher salaries, and therefore instructs the National Executive Committee to cap subscriptions at £250 a year.
SOC's reason for rejection: inconsistent with rule 9(b) which cannot be altered by decision of the National Executive Committee.
RP7 Screen London
That this annual conference proposes that BECTU requests representation on Screen London, the new regional screen body for London.
SOC's reason for rejection: the proposition may more advantageously be dealt with by remission to the London Production division.
RP8 Affiliations
That this annual conference notes that the National Executive Committee has decided to affiliate BECTU to The Creators Rights Alliance. Conference instructs the NEC to proceed with this application immediately and nominate representatives to serve on the CRA managing committee. Further, the NEC should proactively investigate establishing links with other organisations whose ultimate goals (protecting the industry and its personnel) are in line with ours.
SOC's reason for rejection: existing policy under rule 5(g).
RP9 BBC Resources Ltd
That this annual conference deplores the terms, conditions and contractual basis on which BBC Resources Ltd has been recruiting assistant operational trainees. Through the use of two years contracts, inadequate salaries and non-standard conditions of service the BBC is exploiting its position as a major broadcaster and has the potential to lower conditions in the wider UK broadcasting sector.
SOC's reason for rejection: the proposition may more advantageously be dealt with by remission to the BBC division.