NEC Report to BECTU 2005 Conference

The National Executive Committee

1 The National Executive Committee (NEC) has, since its election declared at the close on 8 May 2004 of the union's 2004 conference, met on the following dates: in 2004, on 23 May, 4 July, 15 August, 26 September, 7 November, 19 December; in 2005, on 30 January, 13 March, 24 April, 3 June.

2 It was reported at the close of the union's 2004 conference that Tony Lennon had been re-elected as President of BECTU.

3 The divisional members of the National Executive Committee elected with effect from 8 May 2004 were: Christine Bond, Suresh Chawla, Peter Cox, Tudor Gates, Lou George, John Handley, Pete Harding, Mary Hillman, Andy Love, Annabelle Mackenzie, Douglas McGill, Jane Perry, Winston Phillips, John Searle/John Wild (job share), Lawrence Van Reiss, Robert Scott.

4 The National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 23 May 2004, elected Lawrence Van Reiss as Vice-President and Douglas McGill as Treasurer of BECTU. They, together with the President, comprise the General Officers of the union.

Obituaries

5 The union's journal up to the April 2005 issue had recorded that the following members and/or employees of BECTU or its founder unions have passed away during the course of the year: Peter Allwork, Nick Ardizzone, John Armstrong, Richard Best, Julian Brinkworth, Dennis Challen, Eric Cross, Chris Eytle, Nick Gordon, John Grant, Jack Greenwood, Godfrey Jennison, Billy Jordan, Mary Kessel, Peter Lambert, Paul Le Mare, Kurt Lewenhak, Arnold Ludski, Kitty Marshall, Josi McAvin, Gwil Owen, Steven Oxley, Roy Pointer, Charles Price, Jim Service, Charles W Smith, Ian Trainer, Eric Wallace, Jim Ware.

Conference

6 The minutes of the 2004 annual conference held in Liverpool on 7 May 2004 were circulated to branches on 11 May 2004 in Branch Circular 674. Propositions carried or remitted at that conference and the manner in which the National Executive Committee has dealt with them are given in Appendix A or are reported on in the National Executive Committee's report.

7 The National Executive Committee, in its report to the union's 2004 annual conference, reported that subject to a facility visit it was planned to hold the union's 2005 conference in the Republic of Ireland. The original budget for this conference had been approximately £150,000. It became clear during the course of 2004 that the cost of holding the 2005 rules revision and annual conference in Ireland was, in fact, going to exceed £200,000.

8 The National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 26 September 2004, considered the first draft of the income and expenditure forecast for 2005 and came to the conclusion that we could not proceed with the plans to hold the union's 2005 rules revision and annual conference in Ireland. The NEC therefore decided that this conference should take place at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, on 4 and 5 June 2005.

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Proposition 1/05 Frequency of conference (AP3)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to reduce the frequency of rules revision conferences rather than reduce the frequency of annual conferences, through an appropriate rule change.

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Proposition 2/05 Venue of conference (AP4)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to continue to cost conference venues outside England and, if they prove comparable, should make them the first choice for the next venue ahead of any in England.

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Proposition 3/05 Amendments to propositions (AP5)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC, in the absence of anything in the BECTU rulebook, to consider proposing amendments to branch propositions which the NEC would otherwise recommend rejecting or remitting. As with any amendment, conference would decide whether or not to accept the NEC's amendment.

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Proposition 4/05 Consultation on amendments (AP12)

All propositions and changes to rule for both union-wide and divisional conferences are to be circulated to all relevant* members allowing enough time for them to submit any amendments [through their branch] before the cut-off deadline.

* relevant - means that divisional conference and divisional committee matters need only be reported individually to members in that particular division

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Financial

9 The National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 19 December 2004, endorsed the income and expenditure forecast for 2005 which is given in Appendix B.

Property project

10 The union's 2004 annual conference considered a detailed report from the National Executive Committee on the property project and following a debate conference agreed that 111 Wardour Street should be offered for sale or let and that we should anticipate a successful conclusion to the development project at 373-377 Clapham Road.

11 Disposing of or letting 111 Wardour Street proved to be much more problematic than was originally envisaged. The property market in Soho is still in a very depressed state, with an over-supply of empty office space and too few people looking to buy or to rent.

12 Since May 2004 there was only one serious expression of interest in renting 111 Wardour Street. This came from an organisation called the Museum of Sexuality. The transaction, however, collapsed when it became clear that those backing the Museum of Sexuality did not have sufficient funds.

13 In September 2004 an offer to purchase Wardour Street for £3.4 million was received from a firm of estate agents called Violet Holdings. This prospective purchase, however, collapsed when Violet Holdings' bankers refused to lend them more than £3 million. The position by December 2004 was becoming increasingly serious for BECTU, with there being no purchaser in sight and a continuing drain on the union's finances. The interest payments to Unity Trust Bank to service the loan were £20,000 per month.

14 It became clear to the National Executive Committee when looking at the income and expenditure forecast for 2005 that BECTU would not be able to survive until the end of 2005 unless a purchaser was found for 111 Wardour Street.

15 Against that background the National Executive Committee, at its meeting in December 2004, decided to end the agency agreement we had with Hutchinson Morrison Childs and Allsops and to enter into a new agency agreement with Hodnett Martin Smith.

16 Hodnett Martin Smith became responsible for marketing the building from January 2005. By the end of the second week in January we had received two offers to purchase 111 Wardour Street. Both were for £3.2 million.

17 The National Executive Committee agreed to sell 111 Wardour Street to Threadneedle Pensions Limited. Heads of Terms were agreed in January 2005 and respective solicitors instructed. Contracts were exchanged on 9 March and the sale was completed on 6 April.

18 After rejection of their planning application in September 2004 it became clear to Housefield Ltd, the property developer hoping to purchase part of the land at the rear of 373-377 Clapham Road for housing, that Lambeth Council would oppose any large-scale development. The Council had, however, indicated to Housefield Ltd that they might support an application if it were limited to four or five houses.

19 A meeting took place between representatives of Housefield Ltd and the General Secretary in September 2004 at which Housefield Ltd argued that it no longer made financial sense to pay almost £1 million for land at the rear of 373-377 Clapham Road if the development were to be limited to four or five houses. Housefield Ltd made a revised offer to BECTU which stated that if permission were given to build four or five houses it would pay BECTU the sum of £614,000 with the possibility of an element of profit-sharing dependent on the developer's marketing success.

20 This was considered by the National Executive Committee at its meeting on 26 September 2004 and it was decided to enter into a revised agreement with Housefield Ltd on the terms outlined by the General Secretary.

21 Further discussions took place between Housefield Ltd and officials from the planning department at Lambeth Council between September and December 2004. Housefield Ltd were advised by Lambeth Council in January 2005 that a revised application would be supported by the planning department. This application was submitted to Lambeth Council in January 2005 and it is expected at the time of writing that planning permission will have been granted by late April 2005.

22 The total indebtedness of the union in respect of the various facilities agreements we have with Unity Trust Bank still stands at £3.7 million, the same figure that was reported to the union's 2004 conference. We have, however, accumulated other debts and there are a number of significant bills that will need to be paid once the property project has been completed. It is expected that the union will still owe Unity Trust Bank around £300,000 after 111 Wardour Street has been sold and we have been paid for the sale of land at the rear of 373-377 Clapham Road.

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Proposition 5/05 Union merger (AP1)

That this annual conference notes the pressures that the falling membership and, in the longer term, the consequential impact on income will have on the service provided to the union's members. These problems combined with the failure to complete the sale of the Wardour Street premises means that the situation is likely to deteriorate further.

Therefore this conference instructs the NEC to investigate the possibilities for a merger with a like-minded union and to bring their recommendations to the 2006 conference.

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Proposition 6/05 Local offices (AP6)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to set up localised small offices in major film and television studios, London Weekend, Elstree, Pinewood, Shepperton and Leavesden, and also to rent an office in Wardour Street in order to have a presence right in the workplace, where members can access union reps and officials. Also to set up a mobile office (or a number of mobile offices) that can service members on location.

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23 The Scottish Committee and Disabled Members Network Committee drew to the attention of the National Executive Committee during the course of 2004 their concerns about the lack of access for disabled people to the office leased by the union in Glasgow. The National Executive Committee decided in principle at that time that the union would move out of that office at the first opportunity.

24 Following a search for suitable alternative accommodation, premises were located in Govan less than a mile from where both BBC Scotland and Scottish Media Group are planning to relocate in the next three years. The National Executive Committee authorised the General Secretary to give formal notice to the landlord, Equity, of our intention to move out of the office in the centre of Glasgow and staff moved into the office in Govan at the end of 2004.

Staffing

25 The pay of BECTU staff was increased by 3.3% with effect from 1 January 2005. Natasha Andrews left BECTU's employment in September 2004 and Mark David-Gray left BECTU's employment in November 2004. Lesley Miles retired in November 2004 and Diane Lockwood joined BECTU's staff at the end of that month. The gender balance of BECTU's employees is given in the following table [56k pdf].

26 When the National Executive Committee met on 19 December 2004 it considered a number of proposals from the General Secretary in respect of the manner in which members of the divisional committees of BECTU were serviced by the full time officials. This paper was written against the background of a difficult financial position and of there being no purchaser for 111 Wardour Street. During the course of 2004 two national official positions had become vacant; one had been occupied by Mark David-Gray and the other by Natasha Andrews. It was decided that these positions should not, for the time being, be filled. It was further decided that the teams of officials working to AGS Martin Spence and AGS Gerry Morrissey should be more closely integrated and that there should be a much greater degree of cross-divisional working. There was an extensive redistribution of duties as part of this exercise, with the duties of all industrial officials being modified and changed to some extent. The new arrangements came into place in January 2005 and their effectiveness continues to be monitored.

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Proposition 7/05 BECTU staffing (AP10)

That this annual conference deplores the recent re-allocation of duties amongst BECTU staff, which affects the effective working of the union, and which has been achieved without any consultation with divisions, branches or members. The annual conference demands an urgent review as soon as possible.

Amendment

Delete "urgent review as soon as possible" and insert "immediate review"

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Proposition 8/05 Vacant officials' posts (AP9)

That this annual conference request that the NEC reverse its decision not to fill two vacant officials posts because of the adverse effect on the workload of the remaining BBC officials and branches. The two posts should be filled because the sale of Wardour Street is proceeding so there is no financial restriction but more importantly in view of proposed BBC spending cuts and Charter Renewal BECTU must have the maximum number BBC officials to manage events over the next few years.

Amendment

In first sentence, after "not to fill" delete "two" and after "BBC" insert "and LPD/RPD"; delete second sentence.

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Proposition 9/05 Out-of-hours cover (AP7)

That this annual conference instruct the NEC to investigate the feasibility of providing out-of-hours cover by telephone, so that freelance members who have a problem can speak to an official who can give accurate advice and support when needed during a split call or night shoot and at weekends.

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BECTU Staff Retirement Scheme

27 The National Executive Committee agreed jointly with the trustees of the BECTU Staff Retirement Scheme during the course of 2004 to issue proceedings against Beacon Asset Management (elected as investment managers to the scheme), Barnett Waddingham (who had acted as actuaries to the scheme), Berkeley Burke Bespoke Brokers (who had acted as advisers to the scheme) and Harvey Ingram Owston (who had acted as solicitors to the scheme). These legal proceedings are in respect of alleged acts of negligence on behalf of all these advisers whilst they were carrying out their professional duties on behalf of the BECTU Staff Retirement Scheme.

28 During the course of 2004 the trustees of the BECTU Staff Retirement Scheme dismissed Barnett Waddingham as actuaries to the scheme and appointed First Actuarial as the new actuaries. First Actuarial were asked by the trustees to prepare what is known as a GN11 report to allow the Trustees of the scheme to reduce the transfer value from the scheme.

29 The GN11 report gives a reasonable indication of what the current deficit of the scheme is. A full actuarial valuation as at 1 November 2004 was prepared.

30 The report that was presented to the trustees painted a somewhat alarming picture. When the last valuation was conducted in November 2001 the scheme had a deficit of £1,240,000 which led to an employer contribution rate of 28.4% and a staff contribution rate of 7%. A number of significant changes were also made in November 2001 to the benefits of the scheme.

31 The GN11 report estimated that the current deficit of the scheme had increased to £4,060,000. The actuary had indicated that without change to the benefits of the scheme the employer's contribution would have to increase from 28.4% to 48%. The underlying reason for the increase in the deficit to the scheme was the increased level of life expectancy. It was understood in discussions with the actuary that if further changes were made to the benefits of the scheme, and in particular if all future accruals were at a rate of 60ths rather than at the different rates that previously applied, then the employer's contribution could remain at 28%. Following negotiations with the shops representing the union's employees the benefits to the scheme were changed in accordance with the actuary's recommendation and this came into effect on 1 February 2005.

Life and honorary members

32 The National Executive Committee has awarded life membership of BECTU to the following members during 2004-2005: Anne Bates, Felix Borg, Carole Burchett, John Chittock, Michael Darlow, Roger Dunton, Sylvia Dyer, Peter Evans, David Graham, Mike Hack, Ian Hate, Angela Knight, Robin Laws, Sheila McCormick, Ronald Meeks, Chris Norman, Larry Sheppard, John Taylor.

33 At its meeting on 30 January 2005, the NEC agreed to recommend to conference 2005 that honorary membership be awarded to George Etchells.

Membership and organisation

34 As is now standard practice, branch secretaries have been provided with quarterly reports which show the new members joining the branch and the members leaving the branch. The NEC and divisional officials are supplied with monthly statistical reports on the numbers of members joining and leaving the union.

35 A full statistical breakdown of the membership as at 31 December 2004 is given in Appendix C [74k pdf].

36 Miller Technology's membership database, which was first installed in 1999, was upgraded from a 16-bit application to a 32-bit application during 2004.

37 From late September 2004 freelance members were able to join online by credit card payment only. To the end of February 2005 (the time of writing), 270 new members had joined using this facility. It is hoped that the facility will be extended to all divisions and other payment methods during 2005.

38 The collection of subscriptions and the updating of membership records have been carried out efficiently by the Membership team. On 31 December 2004 the number of members with unknown addresses was 455, broken down as follows (the previous year's figures are given in brackets):
Arts & Entertainment 142 (161)
BBC 121 (179)
Independent Broadcasting 39 (70)
Laboratories 21 (28)
London Production 93 (171)
Regional Production 36 (68)
Overseas 3 (3)

Non-functioning branches

39 Prior to the union's annual conference in 2004 the National Executive Committee had started to examine what it believed to be a problem with the number of non-functioning branches. Non-functioning branches were those that were regularly failing to hold branch annual general meetings and where there had been no quorate branch committee meeting for some considerable period of time.

40 The National Executive Committee at its meeting on 23 May 2004 decided that the time had come to take some action on this matter. Though the problem extends across all divisions of the union, the NEC instructed the General Secretary to write in the first instance to the officers and chairs of the London and Regional Production divisions alerting them to the fact that the National Executive Committee would be looking at the problem of non-functioning branches and that the first of these to be examined would be the Animation branch.

41 Following a full and detailed consultation between the National Executive Committee and the London Production division it was decided to disband the existing Animation branch and to have the London Production division operate a holding branch for animation members. It is hoped that this will lead to a functioning and democratic Animation branch that meets on a regular basis. All members of the Animation branch were individually informed by the General Secretary of the steps being taken.

42 The National Executive Committee have attempted to tackle this problem across the union by submitting a series of rule changes to the rules revision conference.

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Proposition 10/05 BECTU's structure (AP2)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to establish an independent committee to examine and consider the constitution and rules of the union so that they are consonant with the needs of the industry in the 21st century, when freelancing and small production units have seriously undermined the efficacy of the traditional branch and divisional structure, and to report that committee's findings together with appropriate recommendations at the next rules revision conference.

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Proposition 11/05 Electronic communication (AP16)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to actively increase the use of electronic systems to regularly communicate with and between branches and divisions, such as monthly bulletins and mass electronic mail-outs and make lists of branch committee members available to other branch committees.

Amendment 1

After "with and between" insert "members,"

Amendment 2

Delete all after "such as monthly" and insert "and weekly e-mail bulletins and mass electronic mail-outs, advertising events, news, achievements, etc."

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Political fund review ballot

43 BECTU, in common with all trade unions with political funds, was required by law to ballot its members to continue its political fund. This is a ten-yearly requirement, and BECTU's ballot had to take place no later than the autumn of 2005. As reported to the 2004 conference, the National Executive Committee had agreed to affiliate to the Trade Union Co-ordinating Committee (TUCC) set up to co-ordinate the work being undertaken by those unions compelled to re-ballot.

44 The National Executive Committee agreed at its meeting on 7 March 2004 that BECTU's review ballot would take place in early October and close on 12 November 2004, in accordance with the TUCC strategy.

45 The result of the ballot was published to branches in Branch Circular 681 on 19 November 2004. 5,520 members (75%) voted in favour and 1,869 (25%) voted against. All the trade unions balloting under the TUCC's strategy delivered Yes votes, and at the end of November the TUCC was disbanded until the next round of ballots in 2013-14 (unless the legislation is repealed).

Labour Party

46 BECTU was represented at the 2004 Labour Party Conference, held in Brighton, by AGS Gerry Morrissey and Lawrence Van Reiss. BECTU was also represented at the 2004 Scottish Labour Party conference by Turlough MacDaid and at the 2004 Wales Labour Party conference by David Donovan.

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Proposition 12/05 Labour Party leadership (AP27)

That this annual conference mandates the NEC to give its backing to any campaign mounted by Gordon Brown to become leader of the Labour Party.

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Trades Union Congress

47 BECTU's delegation to the 2004 Trades Union Congress comprised Tony Lennon, Suresh Chawla, Christine Bond, Jane Perry and the General Secretary. BECTU submitted the following two motions to Congress:

BBC Charter Renewal

Congress notes the debate on BBC Charter Renewal and confirms its view that:

• The BBC is the cornerstone of our public service broadcasting system; our primary source of original programme production; the most significant employer and trainer in both television and radio; the standard-setter for independent newsgathering and output; and the leader in the spread of digital television in the UK.
• The increasing attacks on the BBC by commercial broadcasters such as BSkyB, who wish to move to a more market-based broadcasting system, should be strongly resisted.

Congress therefore instructs the General Council to campaign throughout the Charter Renewal process for:

• retention of the licence fee as the primary source of BBC funding
• opposition to alternative funding mechanisms, including 'top slicing' the licence fee (thereby diverting public funds to commercial broadcasters)
• retention of the BBC's range of additional commercial services and opposition to sell-offs such as that of BBC Technology.
• opposition to any increase in the independent production quota from its current level of 25%
• increased independence of the BBC Governors from Government and from BBC management, with no increase in Ofcom's role in regulating the BBC
• reconsideration of the composition of the Governors with the aim of achieving an outcome more representative of the broadcasting industry and of the country as a whole.
• recognition of the value of strong independent news within the BBC and its contribution to the democratic participation of citizens throughout the UK.

Training

Congress welcomes the decision by Government to establish Sector Skills Councils to replace the National Training organisations and the commitment by Government that unions will be represented on the Board of Sector Skills Councils.

Congress congratulates the General Council on the efforts it has made to bring together the union representatives on the trailblazer Sector Skills Councils and the success of the event that it jointly hosted with the Sector Skills Council Development Agency in June 2004.

Congress therefore instructs the General Council:

1. to do all it can to encourage unions to play a full role in the affairs of the relevant Sector Skills Council for them and to continue to press Government to ensure that unions are properly represented on the boards of Sector Skills Councils;
2. to encourage affiliates to educate, inform and involve officials, both lay and full time, about the importance of engaging with Sector Skills Councils and being involved in the development of Sector Skills Agreements;
3. to campaign to find a more creative role for union learning representatives in working with Sector Skills Councils at NVQ level 2 and above and to seek to have union learning representatives play a key role in the development of Sector Skills Agreements;
4. to ensure that all workers, whatever their employment status, are covered by the work of Sector Skills Councils and included in Sector Skills Agreements

Both motions were composited and carried.

Federation of Entertainment Unions

48 BECTU continues to play an active role in the FEU. The FEU continues to have regular liaison meetings with the Director-General of the BBC, and the Chief Executives of Ofcom and the UK Film Council. The FEU has also played an important role in the setting up of Sector Skills Councils covering the audio-visual industry.

49 The year has been dominated by two major issues - BBC Charter Renewal and the Public Service Television Broadcasting review carried out by the new communications regulator, Ofcom. Both of these could have far-reaching effects for members of all unions affiliated to the FEU.

50 The Charter Renewal process was complicated by the changes at the top of the BBC with, first Mark Byford standing in for the departed Greg Dyke, and then successor Mark Thompson. The FEU has been kept fully briefed on the Charter Renewal process and has lobbied extensively in support of a renewed Charter and sustaining the BBC very much as it now. The new BBC management seems to be set on a somewhat different course.

51 Thousands of members of the BBC unions showed their opposition to the cuts announced by Director-General Mark Thompson on 2 March 2005. The campaign day coincided with the publication of the government Green Paper on the future of the BBC. The unions broadly welcomed the announcement that the licence fee would not be scrapped and the apparent commitment to public service broadcasting, but noted that in other respects the Green Paper vindicated their claim that the BBC was self-inflicting measures designed to avoid government compulsion.

52 The unions remain concerned that the BBC, weakened by cuts and divided by privatisation, will be unable to rise to the challenge of digital television.

53 The FEU has continued to provide vigorous and detailed arguments against the premature retreat from regional non-news programming in commercial television, which was finally sanctioned officially by Ofcom early in 2005, but widely anticipated by the ITV companies with a continuing round of programme cutbacks and redundancies throughout 2004.

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Proposition 13/05 Protection of conditions and pensions (AP17)

That this annual conference asks the NEC to lobby for legislation to ensure that all cases, regardless of whether they are company sales, outsources, joint ventures or TUPEs, provide full recognition and transfer of all terms and conditions of service and provision of fully matching pension schemes, and furthermore an absolute restriction of compulsory redundancies for a period of not less than five years from the date of sale or transfer. The legislation should also permit trade unions to ballot and implement industrial action to register protest against all such sales and transfers.

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54 In the film industry, FEU affiliates have been closely involved in the campaign to sustain tax breaks for British film production and have made active contributions to the debates on diversity and minority representation in film production

55 The FEU Training Committee, chaired by Christine Payne of Equity, continues to assume greater importance for all FEU affiliates. Christine Payne has also been appointed the FEU representative on the board of the new Cultural and Creative Industries Sector Skills Council. In the reorganised management structure at Skillset, Roger Bolton continues as the FEU representative on the main board while Christine Payne has joined the newly formed council as an additional FEU representative, and talks have been opened over NUJ representation on the council as well.

Directors Guild of Great Britain

56 We continue to co-operate with the Directors Guild of Great Britain (DGGB) and the Directors & Producers Rights Society (DPRS) in the Directors Alliance. The three organisations jointly meet the UK broadcasters at the Directors Forum where issues affecting freelance directors are dealt with including secondary rights payments, questions of craft and status. Contract Guidelines and Codes of Practice for the engagement of directors on both Fiction and Non-Fiction productions, have been agreed.

57 The question of our future relationship with the DGGB is very much on the agenda. At the time of writing BECTU and the DGGB (in association with Equity in respect of theatre directors) are working together on a Joint Statement of Intent. It is hoped that this will set out a 'road map' for a merger of functions so as to end mutual competition, increase directors' union membership, and improve their representation and collective bargaining strength.

Ofcom review of public service television broadcasting

58 The National Executive Committee at its meeting on 4 July 2004 agreed the contents of BECTU's submission to Ofcom on its review of public service television broadcasting.

59 Ofcom launched its three-stage report of public service television broadcasting in September 2004. Although the report was said to be intended for consultation the National Executive Committee was alarmed that Ofcom appeared to be pre-empting the result of that consultation in relation to its proposals on the reduction in hours of non-news regional programming for ITV. The National Executive Committee and ITV unions strongly contested Ofcom's actions. Ofcom's eventual findings and recommendations in early February 2005 fully vindicated the NEC's fears that Ofcom would sanction the virtual annihilation of PSB within ITV.

Alliance for Protection of Copyright

60 The Alliance for Protection of Copyright (APC) was pioneered by BECTU and is now well-established. Its Code of Practice sets out a procedure for the protection of programme and design proposals received by broadcasters and producers. APC regularly meets with the broadcasters to review the Code of Practice and it is generally agreed the Code is working extremely well, preventing protracted legal battles that incur considerable costs and benefit no-one.

61 APC offers a free service to its members, and has dealt with numerous complaints of copyright theft over the years and has won some significant cases for BECTU members, restoring copyright to their original work together with a proper and adequate financial settlement. APC's work has also acted as a recruitment vehicle to attract new members to BECTU, realising the union has a great deal to offer.

Working Time Directive

62 It had been expected that the European Commission, having rejected the opt-out to the Working Time Directive, would remove the UK Government's opt-out. Unfortunately this was not the conclusion they came to. When the European Commission put forward their proposals in the summer of 2004 it was to extend the opt-out to all other European states. The proposal also contained incentives for employers to derecognise unions and deal directly with the workforce. BECTU is working with EURO-MEI and with the ETUC in opposing the proposals put forward by the European Commission.

International

63 BECTU has remained affiliated to UNI-MEI and the President, Tony Lennon, and the General Secretary continue to represent BECTU on its Executive Committee. UNI-MEI is the Media Entertainment International section of Union Network International.

64 The Executive Committee of UNI-MEI met in Cairo on 27 and 28 November 2004 and among the decisions reached was an attempt to reach what UNI are calling 'global agreements' in each of its sectors. The two organisations that are to be targeted within UNI-MEI are the Disney Corporation and News International.

65 The European section of UNI-MEI (EURO-MEI) has also continued an active programme of work since conference 2004. BECTU is represented on the Executive Committee of EURO-MEI by the General Secretary and AGS Gerry Morrissey. Formal social dialogue machinery has now been established in the live entertainment area and in the audio-visual sector. The Fourth General Assembly of EURO-MEI is to take place on 28 and 29 May 2005 in Budapest.

66 We have not made any serious progress in developing our working relationship with IATSE during the last year. This was due to the fact that the International President of IATSE, Tom Short, was unwell for a significant period of the time and unable to travel. It is hoped, however, that further progress can be made during the next twelve months. IATSE is the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes [sic], Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada.

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Proposition 14/05 Rights of asylum seekers (AP25)

That this annual conference asks the NEC to monitor any future government's proposals on immigration and asylum to ensure that any legislation does not adversely affect the cases of asylum seekers specifically those involving media workers and trade union activists.

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Proposition 15/05 Tsunami aid (AP26)

That this annual conference notes that the G8 summit is being held at Gleneagles, Scotland, from 8 July.

This conference demands the UK government:

• Step up aid and divert war spending to save lives in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other tsunami-affected countries;
• Cancel all debts owed by the 11 affected countries now and urge the IMF and the banks to do the same;
• Ensure aid is given 'without strings' such as 'economic restructuring' which would allow the multinationals to profit from the destruction.

This conference mandates the NEC to:

• Send a copy of this motion to the government and to campaign to ensure that all aid that has been pledged is honoured;
• Place this issue high on the list of possible motions to take to the next TUC conference;
• Join the protests at the G8 summit this July.

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Affiliations

67 BECTU has remained affiliated to the following organisations since annual conference in May 2004 [all figures in £ sterling]:

General Fund
Federation of Entertainment Unions 2,500
General Federation of Trade Unions 6,750
Irish Congress of Trade Unions 846
Scottish Trades Union Congress 1,957
Trades Union Congress 55,199
Union Network International - Media Entertainment International 31,400

Political Fund
Abortion Rights (formerly National Abortion Campaign) 175
Action for Southern Africa 200
Amnesty International 127
Arts for Labour 150
British Copyright Council 883
British Film Institute 176
British Screen Advisory Council 4,430
Campaign for Freedom of Information (variable)
Campaign for Labour Party Democracy 25
Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom 225
Cuba Solidarity Campaign 75
Institute of Employment Rights 245
Institute for Public Policy Research 250
International Centre for Trade Union Rights 200
Justice for Colombia 150
Labour Party 21,200
Labour Research Department 708
Mechanics Institute 50
National Assembly Against Racism 65
National Campaign for the Arts 415
National Pensioners Convention 250
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign 200
Palestine Solidarity Campaign 100
Scottish Labour Party 350
Skillset 1,000
Socialist Educational Association 120
Trade Union CND 200
Trade Union Disability Alliance 100
Trade Union Friends of Searchlight 75
Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation 731
Unite Against Fascism 250
United Campaign for the Repeal of Anti Trade Union Laws 100
Wales Labour Party 200
War on Want 250

[affiliation fees shown are the latest available figures]

BECTU History Project

68 The BECTU History Project this year will truly become the BECTU History Project, for it will formally become an integral part of the union. This move will strengthen the project while at the same time continue to enhance the union's profile. The History Project is a unique body run entirely by enthusiasts, not fuddy-duddies who just sit and reminisce about old times, but a group of people that come together from all sides of the industry dedicated to recording interviews with individuals who have spent their working in the British film, broadcast and theatre industry, either in front or behind the camera or on stage or behind the curtains.

69 The committee meets regularly every second Wednesday of every other month. The rules however will still allow anyone to join the committee who can take an active part in its work whether they are a member of BECTU or not. The committee has many active members from other organisations such as the BFI, Directors' Guild, British Universities Film and Video Council, and BAFTA.

70 The History Project has come a long way since its humble beginnings in ACTT in 1987. The Project can proudly boast it has an impressive archive with a phenomenal 560 interviews, that has today become internationally and nationally acclaimed as one of the most valuable assets in the country. The archive is regularly used by broadcasters, authors, academics, students, and indeed anyone wishing to study the history of our industry. Had there been no BECTU History Project the working lives of individuals during vitally important periods in the growth and development of the film, broadcasting and theatre industry would have gone unrecorded.

71 The archive reflects a number of different histories - a history of technology, an economic history, as well as a social and political history. A history of creativity, hard work, risk taking, budgets, funding, all the glorious anarchy and friction of people working creatively together, a history of human chemistry. As well as understanding the past we need to understand the present and the future of an industry so absolutely central to our society.

72 The Internet is now taking the archive out to the public and to the kids in secondary education through websites like the BFI's Screenonline, which goes to schools and libraries; the BUFVC's Cinema Newsreel website; the David Lean website; and the University of East Anglia website. These partnerships are crucial in continuing to develop the archive and its value to our society.

73 This year the committee are considering proposals together with other notable bodies to put together an event to commemorate the beginning of ITV.

74 Volunteers are crucial to the continued success of the project and we want to persuade all those who work in our industry to act as our partners to give intelligence network on who can and who should be recorded. The BECTU History Project is a homage to those that have worked, still work and will work in an industry we all love so much.

Equality and diversity

General Equality Committee

75 The General Equality Committee (GEC) met on four occasions during 2004. The members of the committee for 2004 were, Christine Bond, chair (RPD), Rebecca Whitehead (A&E), Ann Pointon (Disabled Members Network), Moira Thompson (LPD), Peter John (Labs), Fred Campbell (Black Members Committee), Al Garthwaite (RPD), Angela Knight (BBC) and Jane Perry (NEC rapporteur). Angela Knight tendered her resignation during 2004 following her redundancy. The committee express their thanks for her contribution and wish her well in the future. The committee is serviced by Brian Kelly, Training Officer.

76 The main campaigning activity during the year has concerned the need to highlight domestic violence as an issue of relevance to working life. This follows the lead of the TUC which has promoted the issue during the year. The focus has been to gather information and begin to provide sources of information and advice. It is intended that the GEC will now move in 2005 to providing that information and guidance to branches and reps.

77 BECTU's delegation to the 2004 TUC Women's Conference in Eastbourne was representative of three of the union's industrial divisions and of its Disability and Black Workers' groups. Members Ann Pointon, Joyce Williams and Yvonne Smith were joined by National Officials Sharon Elliott and Anna Kruthoffer. A group of motions were passed condemning workplace bullying, harassment and work-related stress - again, issues that BECTU has highlighted over recent years. A BECTU speaker contributed to this debate, urging a collective response to stress and opposing the individual 'learn how to cope' strategies that employers and media alike often promote.

78 The GEC organised a 'welcome to conference' meeting on the evening prior to the 2004 BECTU conference that was a great success and will be repeated in 2005. There was also a lunchtime fringe meeting to maintain the momentum for a national women's network. Again this will be repeated in 2005.

79 The process of applying for UK and European public funds for diversity projects has necessitated the adoption of a comprehensive equality policy by the union. BECTU's policy, adopted in 2000 following the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, has been revised, and the text is given in Appendix D. The union's equality committees will keep this policy under continual review.

Black Members Committee

80 The high point of the year for the union's Black Members' committee was the decision of the Trades Union Congress to award BECTU the 2004 TUC Equality Award for the Move on Up initiative.

81 The committee itself was delighted with the outcome of the initiative. In the relevant divisions of the union membership figures showed that there was a 37% increase in new members from ethnic minorities in the eight months after the event was publicised, compared with the eight months before. And the committee's determination to increase ethnic minority participation in union activities led to two members of the committee running successfully for election to the National Executive Committee.

82 A survey in July of black and minority ethnic (BME) participants in Move on Up indicated that 10% did in fact go on to obtain jobs in television as a result of contacts made at the event. However, no-one reported getting their programme proposals commissioned, which is very revealing in itself.

83 The event, the survey results and the comments sent by the participants have led to changes and revisions which it is hoped will lead to more successful outcomes at the next event. All the survey respondents wanted Move on Up to be repeated, and BBC Radio proposed that a similar event be organised for the radio industry, which the Radio Academy supports. At the time of writing discussions were being held with several funding bodies to try to obtain sufficient funding to resource these activities satisfactorily.

84 The success of the event has led to new partnerships with other organisations. Acas and BECTU are now working together to develop a new initiative linked with Move on Up. Acas's advisory section can work on a one-to-one basis with small or medium sized companies to produce a meaningful equality policy and this is free of charge. BECTU hopes to involve more production companies in the next Move on Up and as part of this would like to offer them an off the record chat with Acas on their equality policy, with the option of working with Acas to improve it. BECTU and Acas have now been joined by the UK Film Council and the Production Guild to take this forward as part of the UK Film Council's 'Leadership on Diversity' strategy.

85 In November the Black Members committee joined forces with BBC English Regions to organise 'Hidden Talent'. Held at BBC Birmingham, BECTU was represented by several union officials and lay members and the event was chaired by NEC member Winston Phillips, secretary of the Black Members' committee. BBC Chair Michael Grade attended briefly and spoke to the audience.

86 The aim of Hidden Talent was to assist BME workers in their attempts to gain employment in the BBC English Regions. Iona Jones, diversity manager BBC English Regions, organised the event for the BBC. More than 60 BME professionals, mostly freelances, attended. Four weeks after Hidden Talent one participant had already got a job and seven more had applied.

87 Towards the end of the year with the assistance of NEC member Suresh Chawla the committee instigated a new partnership on diversity with the Arts Council of England. The committee was keen to foster this dialogue, acutely aware that diversity activities for BECTU's membership in the Arts & Entertainment division had not moved forward as quickly as those for film and broadcasting. ACE agreed to undertake research into where BME workers with theatre industry qualifications were now employed - in the industry or outside - and were carrying this out at the time of writing. ACE was also very keen to take part in Move on Up.

88 The committee has been invited to participate in other projects. BECTU is partnering the Southern and Eastern Regional TUC and the Working Lives Research Institute in their survey of under-representation of BME workers in the audiovisual industry. It is also on the steering group of the Four Corners/Skillsbase project to provide free business support to freelances in East London: it is hoped that this professional support could be extended geographically.

89 The committee's strategy within BECTU is aimed at assisting the union in becoming more diverse and integrated at all levels, and to this end much effort has been put into recruitment of new BME members and encouraging BME members to play a greater role in the union. In November the committee hosted an open evening for members and non-members. In February 2005 the committee held a very successful briefing day for eight members from the BBC, LPD and RPD interested in taking a more prominent role, including going forward on to committees.

BECTU Disabled Members Network

90 The BECTU Disabled Members Network is a loosely organised group of around 36 members expressing interest (whether personal or as activists) in disability issues. It provides feedback and exchange of information on those issues within the union. The Network is supported by a committee comprising disabled representatives from each of the union's six divisions. At its annual general meeting on 22 March 2004, Ann Pointon was re-elected as chair of the DMN committee, and at its meeting on 9 July 2004 Turlough MacDaid was elected as vice chair. The July meeting also welcomed a new rapporteur from the NEC, Jane Perry.

91 In February 2004 the committee was pleased to note that with Collins v Royal National Theatre Board Limited BECTU's lawyers had established groundbreaking case law on reasonable adjustments for disabled workers.

92 In March the committee observed that the Skillset Workforce Survey had estimated that 3% of workers in the audio visual industries were disabled, as opposed to the perplexing 0.8% figure given in the previous Skillset Industry Census. The 3% figure was derived from workers' own self-identification, whereas the 0.8% had evidently reflected employers' limited perception of visible disability among the workforce. The 3% figure is closer to BECTU's own estimate of 2%, based on equality monitoring of the membership.

93 The committee noted with some satisfaction at its meeting in July that its pressure on Transport for London had finally been rewarded by the installation of pedestrian crossing controls outside Clapham North underground station. While these now make access to the union's head office considerably safer, the time allowed is still insufficient for a self-propelled wheelchair to complete the crossing.

94 Members of the committee made recommendations during the year to the NEC on several access issues affecting the union's properties. Among other things these have resulted in the complete relocation of the union's Glasgow office from an inaccessible to an eminently accessible site, an induction loop system installed in the main head office conference room, and alarm systems in the adapted WCs at head office. It was reported to the committee that the NEC had commissioned a feasibility study for a permanent ramp to replace the separate wheelchair lift and entrance at the Clapham Road building, but the committee was later disappointed to learn that the union's financial position meant that the project could not proceed for the time being.

95 The committee continues to believe that more can be done to improve the accessibility of the union's website, moving towards compliance with the standards of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative (W3CWAI).

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Proposition 16/05 BECTU website (AP14)

That this annual conference believes that there should be an option of an online version of Stage Screen & Radio, furthermore that the website should be updated and redesigned and made for user-friendly and conform with recent DDA legislation.

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Proposition 17/05 BECTU website and improved communication (AP15)

That this annual conference consider way to improve the BECTU website to expand the services and information available on the website. Improved communication on the web may be an answer to falling attendances at branch meetings and may attract more interest in union activities.

SOC note: The branch is recommended to seek a composite with Proposition 16/05 or to withdraw this proposition in support of Proposition 16/05

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96 During the year, a third DMN Newsletter was produced and distributed at the union's 2004 conference in Liverpool, and a fourth issue is planned for the spring of 2005.

97 The committee has followed with interest the General Secretary's urging of officials to become more proactively involved in employers' disability action plans such as those encouraged by the Broadcast and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN). However it has been disappointed to note that in the main these still relate more to issues of public policy (such as portrayal) than to employment policy and the duties placed on employers under the Disability Discrimination Act.

98 In July the committee recommended for adoption by the NEC a response to the DTI consultation on the White Paper 'Fairness for all'. In essence the response accepted the proposed creation of a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights, though it expressed regret over the limited human rights remit proposed for it and argued that a single Equality Act should precede the Commission rather than follow it. At the time this position was not shared by the CRE (which then opposed the creation of a single Commission) and the TUC (which advocated a separate body on human rights). Though the other BECTU equality committees did not take a formal position, the NEC nevertheless adopted the DMN response as BECTU's policy, which through the passage of time has become more consistent with those of other concerned bodies. The government published an Equality Bill in March 2005 which will create the CEHR, and the DMN committee has sought a joint meeting with the other BECTU equality committees to consolidate the union's position.

99 The Committee has closely monitored the amendments to the DDA and new Codes of Practice which came into effect in October 2004, and the introduction of the new Disability Discrimination Bill after the Queen's Speech in November 2004, whose enactment at the end of the last Parliament will significantly strengthen the statutory framework of disability rights. The committee has observed that the new statutory duty on public bodies to promote disability equality will encompass the BBC, Channel 4 and the Arts Council, but not (because it is presently a limited company) the UK Film Council.

100 Members of the committee represented the union at the TUC Disability Conference discussion meeting in July 2004 (the next full conference is on 25-26 May 2005). The TUC is planning a campaign to highlight to the hotel and conference industry the appalling lack of fully accessible venues in the UK. Members of the committee also attended the first STUC Disabled Workers Conference in November 2004. The committee was pleased that Turlough MacDaid successfully stood for election to the STUC Disability Committee.

101 In December Ann Pointon chaired a discussion panel at the 6th Disability Film Festival at the National Film Theatre, on the subject of 'Access Some Areas' - no-go areas for disabled people in the film and television industries. BECTU was a modest sponsor of the Festival for the first time.

Scottish Committee

102 The Scottish Committee undertook a broad range of work throughout 2004, and campaigned on a range of issues relating to both our industry and wider employment issues.

103 The committee met four times during 2004, and was well supported and attended by branches. There were regular meetings with the Culture Minister and MSPs, on issues such as arts funding, the new National Theatre Company of Scotland, Scottish Opera's funding, a number of peripheral broadcasting issues, and discussions on film studios and film funding generally.

104 The committee sent full delegations to the STUC Annual Congress and Women's Congress, and Scottish Labour Party events, as well as participating in a range of STUC Campaigns around social and industrial issues.

Wales Committee

105 The Wales Committee held its first meeting of 2005 on 21 January. The main topics of business were to discuss the recommendation of delegates and motions to the major conferences in Wales; the Wales Labour conference was being held in Swansea on 17 and 19 March and the Wales TUC on the 25 to 27 May 2005 in Llandudno.

106 This first meeting was a particularly poignant affair being the first since the death of a committed BECTU member and staunch advocate of the Wales Committee, Gwil Owen.

Industrial overview

Broadcasting

BBC

107 The pay award agreed in August 2004 between the BBC and the joint unions was 2.9%.

108 During 2004 the BBC sold off its Technology arm to Siemens. The union won protection of those transferring on pay, conditions and pensions. 1,400 staff were affected by the transfer. BECTU condemned the privatisation as part of a long-term strategy of selling off the family silver in order to finance the BBC's move into digital. Previous privatisations included BBC Property to Land Securities Trillium, Transmission to Crown Castle and Merlin Communications, and salaries and other financial functions to MEDAS.

109 On 6 December 2004 the new Director-General, Mark Thompson, announced massive cuts would take place in BBC staff. The anticipated redundancy figure was 3,000, affecting staff in factual programme-making and professional services. On the same day he announced the BBC's intention either to sell off or enter into joint venture arrangements on BBC Broadcast and BBC Resources. In March 2005 a total of 3,780 redundancies were announced, first for back-office and then for programme departments, preparing the way for a large increase in the BBC's use of independent producers. The joint unions have commenced a campaign of resistance against the job cuts and privatisation and at the time of writing were balloting on industrial action.

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Proposition 18/05 Cuts in public broadcasting (AP21)

That this annual conference deplores the cuts and privatisations announced for the BBC by Director General Mark Thompson which seriously threaten public broadcasting in the UK. All divisions represented at this conference support the efforts of BECTU as well as the other BBC unions' officials in the fight against the cuts which, if allowed to go ahead unchallenged, would have a serious impact on the whole broadcasting industry.

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Transmission

110 Crown Castle UK, the former BBC transmission division has been sold by its US parent company, Crown Castle International for $2.04bn (£1.13bn). The buyer was UK utility giant, National Grid Transco (NGT). NGT is merging the business with its mobile telephony transmission arm, Gridcom. The new business will combine CCUK's 3000 broadcast transmission and mobile phone towers and masts with Gridcom's 1,400 mobile phone masts.

111 BECTU officials have been given assurances that there will be no detrimental changes to terms and conditions and no changes to pension arrangements despite the share sale not being covered by the terms of TUPE regulations. The only job losses arose from the closure of Gridcom's Watford HQ and the centralisation of head office services at CCUK's Warwick base. No BECTU members were affected by job cuts.

Independent Broadcasting

112 As in 2003, the creation of ITV plc and the resulting restructuring has dominated the work of the unions throughout 2004. Significant redundancies have taken place at Meridian, Carlton Midlands, 3Sixtymedia and at other locations. Further redundancies were proposed at YTV, Meridian and ITV Granada as a direct result of Ofcom's decision to allow a reduction in regional output. The joint unions, both locally and nationally, have condemned Ofcom's decision and, at the time of writing, both local and national politicians were being asked to support the joint union's campaign.

113 The pay award for all ITV plc staff for 2005 was put into in dispute in early 2005. The company's offer of 3.3% had been rejected at a number of locations and a ballot for industrial action (excluding, at their request, the ITV Wales, West, Meridian, Border and Tyne Tees branches) opened on 3 March 2005. Over 600 BECTU members were balloted at 3sixtymedia, ITV Granada, Yorkshire, Central, Anglia, LWT and LNN (Southern Transmission Centre), in a vote which produced a 54% majority in favour of industrial action. BECTU members joined with colleagues in Amicus, who secured a similar mandate, to launch a programme of industrial action. This commenced with strike action lasting 36 hours from 7am on Friday 8 April 2005 at ITV Granada, Yorkshire, 3sixtymedia and LWT, supported by action between 12 noon and 2pm on Friday 8 April, at LNN, ITV Central and Anglia. Members at 3sixtymedia, Granada and Yorkshire followed this initial action with a 12 hour stoppage on Sunday 10 April due to attempts by the company to circumvent the action. The strike action was an overwhelming success and a credit to ITV representatives, members and staff generally. The joint unions halted production on key productions such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Heartbeat and caused major difficulties for the company in respect of its live peaktime Saturday evening output. Ant and Dec had to be pre-recorded and Hit Me Baby was moved to BBC studios. Other third party work booked into the London Studios was affected. At sites taking more modest action, the support for the joint union stance was impressive. In particular, the IB division was indebted to fellow members in London and Regional Production, whose willingness to turn down work on the strike days was a major contributing factor to the unions' success on 8-10 April. Most importantly, the strike action prompted an improved offer from ITV on which the unions were preparing to consult their memberships as this report went to press.

NTL

114 A long standing dispute in the Broadcast Division of NTL over new terms and conditions was finally resolved at ACAS in the spring of 2004 following a period of industrial action. The agreement reached by way of conciliation was based on compromise but fell short of meeting all the aspirations of members. An appeals process is in place for 2005 to address any major shortfall in income suffered by individual members.

115 At the end of 2004, NTL reached an agreement with Macquarie Bank of Australia, to sell the Broadcast Business for £1,270 million. The sale was completed on 1 February 2005. Whilst broadly the sale was seen as a positive move by members, there were concerns about, in particular, the defined benefits pensions schemes which will remain with NTL Group, making current scheme members deferred pensioners. Macquarie have set up a 'broadly equivalent' defined benefits scheme for UK staff who were members of the NTL plan. BECTU's position was to ensure that there was a seamless transfer on an equal value basis between the two schemes. The previously underfunded NTL scheme has now benefited from accelerated funding whereby £55 million was put into the scheme over a sixty day period from the sale of Broadcast. The proposed pension arrangements were the subject of a possible ballot for industrial action at the time of writing.

Arts & Entertainment

Theatres

116 The government's announcement of a freeze in grants for subsidised theatres was a severe blow to many theatres who are currently finding it difficult to keep open. Despite significant Lottery money and investment into the fabric of the buildings, there has been little money to put into production. BECTU has joined together with Equity, the Musicians' Union and the employers' associations to lobby government about the crisis now facing theatres.

117 Negotiations with the TMA (Theatrical Management Association) on the collective agreement covering most theatre workers, yielded increases of between 3% and 10.8%, weighted in favour of the lowest paid and in line with the ongoing campaign against low pay. The following pay awards were also agreed during 2004:
Royal Opera House 2.75%
Royal Shakespeare Theatre 3.0%
National Theatre 3.5%
English National Opera 3.0%

118 In January BECTU members covered by the Society of London Theatres rejected a 5.5% pay award as part of an agreement which would allow theatres to open on Sundays. An improved offer was made for Sunday working rates and on maternity, paternity and adoption entitlements, as well as the introduction of an employer's contribution to members' pensions. This improved offer was accepted overwhelmingly in a ballot in early April. It also significantly increases our areas of recognition to include sound and automation operatives, call centre workers and theatre management.

Odeon

119 The Odeon Cinema chain has changed hands for the third time since its original sale by The Rank Organisation. The company is now owned by Terra Firma who also acquired the UCI chain. It is anticipated that for the time being, the two chains will continue to operate separately. However, there is a programme of rationalisation ongoing at the respective company head offices.

120 BECTU has submitted a pay claim, which this year attempts to redress poor wages amongst technicians (projectionists) where BECTU has collective bargaining rights. The claim seeks an interim award in line with inflation effective from January 2005 and demands that a pay comparability study is conducted to determine the right rate for the job.

121 BECTU branches within Odeon have been restructured around the company's operating regions. The reason for the restructuring is to improve communications, strengthen the role of the subdivisional committee and aid recruitment through more local involvement in union affairs. The restructuring is in line with the unions move from a servicing to organising culture.

UGC

122 BECTU negotiators agreed an RPI-busting 3.5% across-the-board pay deal for projection and technical members at UGC Cinemas in September 2004.

123 The French owners of the 43-site UK cinema chain employing around 2,500 full-time and part-time staff announced in November the sale of the company which they had acquired from Virgin in 1999.

124 The new owners are Cine UK, operators of 30 Cineworld cinemas in the UK. The funding for the £215m purchase came from Blackstones, a major private equity company. It is expected that the UGC sites will rebrand under the Cineworld banner during 2005. As a share sale the transfer is not covered by TUPE regulations and BECTU has requested an early meeting with Steve Wiener, CEO of Cine UK, in order to ensure a continuation of union recognition and current terms and conditions of projection and technical members.

125 The acquisition will not fall foul of OFT rules as the two cinema chains do not operate in direct competition, except in Swindon.

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Proposition 19/05 Film distribution (AP22)

That this annual conference instructs the Film Policy Committee to approach the government (DCMS and DTI), UK Film Council, independent cinema and commercial multiplex operators and associations to investigate and promote the case for a clearing-house to help smaller budget hits in independent cinemas cross over to audiences in bigger chains.

Amendment

After "instructs the" insert "NEC through its"

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Laboratories

126 We have known for many years that employment in the film laboratories and video/DVD distribution is in long-term decline. The whole sector is very vulnerable to technological change and to fierce international price competition. This has led to repeated rounds of redundancies, and the emergence of 'core' permanent workforces supplemented by temporary and casual labour.

127 In 2004 we saw redundancies at the National Film and Television Archive (NFTVA) and Technicolor, the closure of Hendersons Film Laboratory, and continuing uncertainty about the future of the De Luxe group. However there were positive developments elsewhere: Film Lab North moved to new and better premises; the union successfully resisted the imposition of new contracts at Todd-AO; and it continues to have a strong presence at other labs such as Colour Film Services and Soho Images.

128 The NFTVA, which is part of the British Film Institute, went through a major restructuring aimed at making its acquisition and preservation policies more commercial. BECTU actively and publicly opposed this, arguing that the nation's film and TV heritage was being put at risk. Our campaign achieved exposure in the national press, and succeeded in mitigating some of the worst effects of the new policy.

London and Regional Production

129 In 2004 we sought an increase to the rate card in the PACT/BECTU Freelance Production Agreement. This was agreed at 3.86% from 1 March 2005. We have monitored the use of the agreement by production companies and found that there is still a wide range of responses. We have made it clear to PACT that compliance is a central priority. In April 2004 we achieved ground-breaking recognition for the wildlife cameramen/women at the BBC. At the time of writing we are still in negotiation over recognition at Freemantle Media for the freelances working on The Bill and at BBC Scotland for all freelances.

130 2004 saw a continuation of the high production level of films. However 2004 also saw problems for the industry. Two tax crises occurred, sparked by the Treasury: one in February over 'tax partnerships', the other in December over 'double dipping'. There was also the steady decline of the dollar against the pound. These issues may lead to 2005 being a lean year for major productions. The Construction Agreement is working well and is now into its second full year of operation.

131 Commercials production showed a stabilisation in 2004, which we hope will continue. We continue to issue recommended rates and conditions for commercial work.

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Proposition 20/05 Low budget production agreement (AP23)

That this annual conference instruct the NEC to investigate a strategy to cover low budget productions, so as to seek to introduce a union agreement tailored to this type of production which could be realistically used by the production companies. This agreement would ensure the provision of at least some safeguards and standards to freelance workers, many of whom will just be starting out in the industry and seeking a foothold on the ladder by means of gaining experience, and so are vulnerable to exploitation.

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Proposition 21/05 Education branch (AP8)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to explore methods whereby the many members teaching in colleges and similar institutions have some form of representation analogous to the former ACTT branch.

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Training

Introduction

132 This report contains details of the union's activity in the area of learning and skills during 2004. The work of the Training Officer and the training team is monitored on behalf of the NEC by the Training Committee.

133 The Training Committee for 2004-2005 comprises:
Ann Jones (Chair) RPD
Winston Phillips BBC
Bill Whittemore Labs
Roberta Thompson LPD
Sebastian Barnes A&E
Pete Harding NEC Rapporteur.
Peter Cox attends in his capacity as a board member of FT2.

134 The Training Committee met on four occasions in 2004 but with one meeting inquorate.

135 This report is divided into two parts: the first covers externally funded projects, and the second the promotion and advocacy of vocational training in partnership with external organisations in the audio-visual sector and in arts and entertainment.

Externally funded projects

136 During 2004 we have managed a total of seven projects that have been financially supported from external sources. The funding partners include the Union Learning Fund, the Wales Union Learning Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and the Creative Industries Training Initiative. The total financial support available adds up to £270,000 although a proportion is to be allocated in 2005-2006. A three year bid was submitted to the ULF in December worth a total of £415,000 to support the work of three project workers to build a network of ULRs.

137 All projects have been designed and are being carried out to support the organising agenda.

TOSCA

138 The TOSCA Project ended after three years on 31 March 2005. The aims of the project have been to organise union learning reps in A&E, to agree training partnerships with employers and encourage workers to participate in learning. Following consistent work in the West End we have a learning partnership at Really Useful Theatre (RUT) group and we will launch the project in the Ambassadors Theatre Group (ATG) during early 2005.

139 The Project at RUT was launched officially in October 2004 at the London Palladium with a lunchtime event including the flying of the Chitty car for publicity, followed by Learning at Work Day for all 500 plus staff.

140 The TOSCA Project was managed by Kate Elliott with administrative support from Margaret Bisset. 2004-5 budget: £79,000

Vocational 'bitesize' for theatre workers

141 This is a small project linked to TOSCA and run in partnership with the Arts and Entertainment Technical Training Initiative (AETTI) and Loughborough College. It will organise special vocational training days at eight theatres to give workers a course 'taster'. We hope to expand this project in the future.

142 The logic of the project is to 'break the ice' with workers and management as far as vocational training is concerned, to encourage activity by ULRs and to encourage greater awareness of and investment in training. 2004-5 budget: £43,800

Soho Learning Project

143 This project was funded (£34K) by the London Central Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to find out learning needs in the Soho area. Part of our research was focused on the post-production sector and despite not getting the support we expected from industry bodies we are making real progress in researching branch members and small numbers of employers. The four researchers, Elly Baker, Eve Kenny, Grethe Mitchell and Yvonne Smith, have been employed since May 2004 on 0.4 contracts (two days per week). The contracts ended in March 2005. The researchers have been exemplary and professional representatives for BECTU and, resources permitting, we hope they will be able to contribute to our work again in the future. A report is due to be published in the New Year. 2004-5 budget: £34,000.

Learning Reps Project

144 This project is funded by the Union Learning Fund and will recruit learning reps in ten LPD branches to carry out learning needs analyses amongst branch members and to arrange training and 'master classes' where appropriate. Over the course of two years we will have £28,000 to support training events and master-classes. We will also have £7500 to develop and run special BECTU freelance training sessions in areas such as health and safety, marketing, accounting and other key areas.

145 The project has begun by sounding out potential volunteers for the role of learning rep and we have received over 40 responses. Training and briefing for the role will take place in December and January. 2004-5 budget: £35,000

146 The RPD project is similar but smaller to the LPD project. It is managed locally by Ann Jones and Sian Gale who are seeking to recruit freelance ULRs to carry out surveys to identify training need and to recruit members of their occupation/grade to attend courses. The Courses will be brokered by the two project workers mainly with Cyfle (the training provider) but specially commissioned where necessary. 2004-5 budget: £26,050

147 Learning reps at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne have set up a small learning centre backstage. The Project has shared the cost of two PCs with the theatre and they are loaded with Learndirect and the Internet so that employees can study at work and in their own time as well as having visiting tutors from local colleges. There is also a new partnership between the theatre and the Adult Basic Skills Unit at Newcastle College who will deliver all levels of literacy and numeracy training over the next year.

148 The Soho Learning Project has opened the door to many new learning opportunities in the West End. This has led to a new partnership between BECTU and ATG (Ambassadors Theatre Group) where we are aiming to recruit learning reps over the next few months and repeat the success of the project with Really Useful Theatres.

149 The publicity and activity consequent upon the project have raised BECTU's visibility in those theatre groups and the other theatres in which it has been active. It has also enhanced our reputation as an active and progressive union. This provides an excellent base on which to organise and recruit in the future.

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Proposition 22/05 Learning reps (AP18)

That this annual conference reaffirms the importance of the learning agenda to the future of the union, and instructs every branch of the union to nominate a branch representative for learning by December 2005.

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Head office learning centre

150 As part of a close working partnership with the Creative Industries Training Initiative (CITI) based at the Surrey Institute we opened a learning centre based at head office in early 2005. It is based in the members' room in the basement of the annex on a temporary basis, until new facilities become available as part of the property development at Clapham Road.

151 The centre contains five Macs and seven PCs with licences to run courses on Movie Magic budgeter and scheduler, Final Cut Pro and Maya. These will be expanded over time. The centre will also provide facilities for reps' courses, IT courses and other training programmes. The total investment is approximately £25K, with CITI contributing £21,700 and the remainder from ULF and BECTU.

152 A members' 'drop-in' facility remains available and we will be investigating the feasibility of providing a Learndirect PC access point. This will have the potential of raising income in the future as will the learning centre itself. 2004-5 budget: £25,000

153 Surrey Institute are interested in the possibility of their graduates being offered BECTU graduate membership so that they can qualify for access to the centre. This will help to boost membership directly.

Learning website

154 We now have a learning website, www.learningstudio.org.uk, which is under construction. It will eventually contain details of vocational courses, training opportunities and conferences nationwide. It will also contain details of all union courses including our own and those run by the TUC and GFTU. At present places on BECTU reps' courses can be booked via the website.

155 Although the site is still be developed, it has shown that online booking of courses and information about vocational training will be very popular in the future. 2004-5 budget: £28,675

Industry partnerships

156 The second aspect of the Training Officer's area of responsibility concerns the promotion and advocacy of vocational training, in the main for freelance members in film and TV but also including members in A&E and more indirectly members in BBC, IB and Labs.

157 The external bodies in which we have participated during 2004 include: Skillset committees for film skills and TV skills and the development of Sector Skills Agreements; Skillset Regional Skills panels; Scottish Audio-visual Development Group; Scottish Industries Skills Panel; FT2; Arts and Entertainment Technical Training Initiative (AETTI); Theatre Technical Training Services (TTTS); Association of British Theatre Technicians Education Committee (ABTT); Cultural and Creative Industries Sector Skills Council (CCISSC); FEU Training Committee; TUC National Training Network.

158 FT2 (Freelance Training for Film and TV) remains the pre-eminent new entrants' training scheme in the industry. It is a partnership between PACT and BECTU and includes Tudor Gates (NEC), Peter Cox (NEC) and Brian Kelly (Training Officer) as BECTU members of the board. In addition, Tudor is currently Chair of the board. Although there has been some uncertainty about funding during the roll-out of the Film Skills Strategy and the TV Skills Strategy (FT2 draws on funds from both areas), the charity has still been able to prepare a first rate group of trainees for work in the industry.

159 Relations with Skillset have been dominated by the development of the Sector Skills Agreement and the nomination of Skillset as a 'pathfinder Sector Skills Council'. There have been some difficulties with the form of consultation (which made a union response difficult) and timescales, however we have been able to impress on Skillset and other industry partners the importance of collective bargaining over training and the growing role of union learning reps. During this year we fully expect to have a large number of effective ULRs amongst all parts of BECTU and especially within the freelance membership due to the RPD and LPD projects.

160 During the course of 2004 Skillset restructured its management to provide for a Council charged with overall corporate management, and an Executive Board dealing in detail with finance and governance. This reflected the rapid growth experienced by the organisation since it was set up ten years previously: the new structure would provide for input from and reporting to government agencies and the large and growing number of 'key industry stakeholders'. The General Secretary argued successfully that the Federation of Entertainment Unions should be represented on both the new Council and the new Board.

161 Following this restructuring, the Board resolved that skillsformedia, hitherto jointly managed by BECTU and Skillset, should become a 'wholly-owned' core activity of the Sector Skills Council, under the brand name Skillset Careers. BECTU felt that the arguments for discontinuing the service as a partnership rooted in the industry were not convincing, and that in any case the manner of assimilation failed to pay due acknowledgement to skillsformedia's distinctive origins as a BECTU initiative. However the union recognised that the rebranding would allow service users to benefit from the higher level of resources which Skillset could bring to it. Careers enquiries made to the union are now redirected to Skillset Careers and its website at www.skillset.org/careers.

162 The General Secretary has continued to represent the Federation of Entertainment Unions on Skillset's Executive Council and Board. In that capacity he has ensured that the trade union voice has been heard during progress towards the third stage of the development of Sector Skills Agreements in England and eventually the rest of the UK, and the development of co-regulatory (Skillset/Ofcom) training.

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Proposition 23/05 Skillset and Northern Ireland (AP19)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to call upon Skillset to provide the same full careers and advice service in Northern Ireland as in the other UK nations.

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Proposition 24/05 New digital revolution (AP20)

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to promote an industry-wide strategy (provision) for retraining of industry workers to accommodate the new digital revolution, specifically including postproduction, distribution and projection and securing a commitment and funding from employers and training bodies.

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163 Amongst freelance members we will organise a network of ULRs who will enjoy subsidised access to training, a network of delegates to regional skills panels and a network of Skillset careers advisors. All these activists with an interest in training issues will be asked to maintain their own small network of contacts so that we can respond to requests for consultations quickly and we can begin proactively to set out a clear vocational training strategy.

164 Other achievements during the year include:

• BECTU co-sponsored the first ever audio-visual national skills day.
• The running of two pilots of the Movie Magic training package free of charge to members.
• A partnership with the Surrey Institute of Art and design to provide vocational training at BECTU's head office.
• A partnership with Westminster Kingsway College in Soho to offer discounts to BECTU members.
• The Soho Learning Project, which raised our profile in West End theatre significantly and gained us entry to a number of post production companies in Soho and improved our reputation amongst this key group of workers.
• A partnership with Cyfle in Wales to work with us as part of the WULF project.

165 In theatre the key developments have been the establishment and licensing of the Cultural and Creative Industries Sector Skills Council (CCISSC) and the evolution of the group Technical Theatre Training Services to become a training promoter and facilitator for theatre workers, now known as Skillscene. As a union we have been influential within the TTTS in pushing for a qualifications framework for all theatre staff and our approach has been rewarded by the award to Skillscene of £60,000 for just this purpose. We have been highly commended in a consultant's report for the Society of London Theatre for our work.

166 We have continued to support the work of the Arts and Entertainment Technical Training Initiative and we are working with them and Loughborough College to provide vocational training sessions with theatres that are partners in the TOSCA Project.

167 Our learning and skills work in theatre is increasingly recognised and respected. With the continued commitment of the A&E officials and divisional committee this should place us in a very influential position as the SSC develops during 2005.

Recruitment, retention and training strategy 2005 overview

Introduction

168 In 2004 we set out the recruitment and retention strategy for each division of the union and at the time explained that the strategy would be the same for 2005 but with the key targets being modified as work continued.

169 BECTU recruited 4,752 members in 2004; this was exactly balanced over the same period by the number of cessations, 4,751. The Arts & Entertainment, BBC, London Production and Regional Production divisions all exceeded their financial targets for 2004. The difficulties encountered in the Independent Broadcasting division are well documented and as ITV continues to rationalise its operation, more redundancies are expected into 2005. The Laboratories division has been in decline for a number of years but our level of density remains very high. The Arts & Entertainment division recovered from a slow start to 2004 and there is some optimism that we may have seen the worst of theatre closures and redundancies.

170 The income target for 2004 was deemed to be optimistic at £4,300,000 but we exceeded it by £27,500. The income target for 2005 is even more ambitious at £4,629,000. This target will be doubly difficult bearing in mind we will be trying to achieve it with two officials fewer than we had in 2004. It will be our intention to deploy officials to areas where is the greatest opportunity of increasing membership. During 2004 57 representatives, excluding BBC representatives who have been trained separately, have been trained in-house. In addition reps have also attended TUC and Regional TUC courses. However, the take-up on GFTU courses has diminished significantly. Training new representatives and ensuring that they organise their work places remains a key plank of our strategy.

171 Collective bargaining and servicing of members are at the forefront of our activities however, we must not loose sight of our aim to become an organising union and avail ourselves of the opportunities that exist from new recognition agreements. During 2004 we have signed new recognition agreements with the BBC Natural History Unit, Ulster Television, Ofcom, Hadens, Southern Transmission Centre (London News Network), and City Screen.

172 To summarise, the key elements of the 2004 campaign remain in place for 2005. We will continue to ensure that current members are serviced and that the union's profile is high within the industries in which we organise. We need to recruit in excess of 4,000 members a year in order to stand still. This means recruitment has to be high on the agenda of every divisional committee in the union. The following paragraphs are drawn from the submissions of the Supervisory and National Officials in each division where we have key recruitment targets.

Broadcasting and Arts & Entertainment

A&E division

173 In 2004, BECTU membership within the Arts and Entertainment division ended at almost exactly the same level as it started at 4,937. The aim had been to attain the membership level of 5,473 which we had at the start of 2003. Also, although subscription income increased in the first three quarters of the year, it was projected that the annual income target would not be met. The number of new members recruited in 2004 was just under 900, about the same as in 2003. The difference between the two years was that in 2004 the number of members lapsed was the same as the number recruited. However, the current membership level remains significantly lower than the 6,193 in the year 2000 which gives an indication of the potential to recruit within the division. To do this we will have to recruit an extra 7% of the membership level while the number of members lapsing remains constant.

174 The 2004 recruitment and retention strategy sought to continue to develop a culture of organising rather than servicing. While a significant number of A&E representatives have attended the union's organising courses, there has not been a consequent increase in membership, although retention has improved. Within the division, membership in the cinema and arts centres remains fairly constant with about 200 new members recruited, many of them employed by City Screen, the independent cinema company where we won a statutory recognition claim. The vast majority of members recruited, almost 80%, were within the theatre industry. This area remains the most likely area for membership growth in real terms. During the year, a main objective was to set up and develop two sub-committees; one for representatives working in ClearChannel Theatres (CCE), and the other for representatives working in Ambassador Group Theatres (ATG). The CCE sub-committee was a success with the representatives organising around specific company-wide issues and reaching an agreement on payments for non-theatrical productions. The ATG sub-committee was unsuccessful but there will be a further attempt to set it up in 2005, using the model that was used for the CCE sub-committee.

IB division

175 With the merged ITV formally launched in February 2003 the company lost no time in pursuing major changes. The most critical of these from BECTU's perspective affected our membership at Meridian and in the Midlands. At Meridian the company proposed the relocation of the Meridian business with the loss of more than 150 posts due to the company's decision to refocus the site on regional programme making only aided by additional job reductions due to the introduction of new technology. The proposals affecting Meridian were soon followed by similar proposals in the Midlands aimed at achieving a similar reduction in activities in Birmingham, the relocation of transmission services to Leeds and perhaps most devastating of all the decision to close the Nottingham Studios. More than 200 posts were affected in the Midlands.

176 The company's drive to reposition ITV as an entertainment channel stripped of any meaningful and substantial public service broadcasting requirements took a step further in the autumn with Ofcom's publication of its 2nd Stage Report into its Review of Public Service Broadcasting. This led to a resumption of BECTU's campaign in defence of broadcasting from the nations and regions which has won the support of the membership, of the local press and of MPs and which has succeeded in putting Ofcom on the defensive with regard to its relationship with ITV. The proposals for a reduction in early 2005 in regional features output in England will impact not only on the production staff themselves but on support services such as subtitling whose staff are also represented by BECTU. The year also saw the move of the C4 subtitling contract to the BBC - some ten Intelfax staff took up employment at the BBC - although the company did not survive the loss of the contract.

177 In late 2004 ITV also confirmed its intentions to move Tyne Tees TV to a new site, a development which, coupled with the introduction of desk top editing put 35 jobs at risk; meanwhile at YTV similar moves in terms of new technology threaten some 38 posts; representatives in Manchester also joined in discussions with management to examine proposals for 16 job losses linked to the introduction of new technology. Representatives at Anglia entered into discussions with management regarding the mothballing of the main studio in Norwich given the lack of any new commission to replace Trisha. (Trisha ceased production in November following a decision by the presenter and her backers to take the show to Channel 5.) At LWT a voluntary redundancy exercise in technical areas which led to the release of some 30 staff was followed by a new challenge when management tabled proposals in December to make significant changes to terms and conditions affecting staff in the London Studios.

178 The year at NTL has been dominated by developments following the resolution of the dispute regarding terms and conditions within Broadcast and by the continuing prospect of the sale of the Broadcast business. The sale to an Australian company, Macquarrie Banks, was confirmed in December 2004.

179 Against this backdrop of substantial industrial activity the division's officials and representatives continued to focus on recruitment and retention and on the other ad hoc calls on resources. The loss of members in ITV in particular, as a result of the above changes will be lessened somewhat by the transfer of members to the regional and London production divisions. Recruitment events have continued to take place as part of the division's commitment to organising and the division has continued to support the union's training initiatives.

180 Following a review of activities in the summer of 2004, it was agreed that principal recruitment projects for the six months from September 2004 to March 2005 would be ITV North (Granada Manchester and YTV, ITV's two principal production bases outside London) and NTL. In addition officials would continue to support representatives outside these areas with their organisational work and deal with ad-hoc requests.

181 At Granada Manchester there is a particular focus on Regionals and Channels staff, Production staff in particular, and on Coronation Street with a view to building activity and activism in these areas to balance the union's organisation in 3sixtymedia. At YTV, similarly, there is a focus on strengthening our organisation within production departments and specifically on Emmerdale and Heartbeat.

182 At NTL, where reps have been working on a review of the branch structure to enable closer working between the more organised areas and the less well organised, it was agreed that Crawley Court would be the key site to focus on in terms of organisation and recruitment. It was also agreed that Emley Moor offered real opportunities too. Field operations staff would also be encouraged to boost their organisation and staff in call centres would also continue to be encouraged to recognise the benefits of BECTU representation.

183 A series of visits has been diaried in respect of both projects and a launch NTL Newsletter was published in early December. The projects are being monitored on an ongoing basis and will be formally reviewed in March at which point the projects could be extended and/or redefined.

184 The IB division continues to experience significant upheaval due to reorganisation in the sector. Membership retention has to be a key objective in the year ahead, but despite the many challenges, recruitment opportunities in our heartland areas remain high. It is anticipated that the reorganisation of officials duties which took effect in early 2005 will help the union to make more effective use of its resources to the benefit of all of the union's divisions.

London Production, Regional Production, and Laboratories

Introduction

185 In 2004 our recruitment was targeted on actual members' recruitment rather than net growth for both LPD and RPD. Recruitment is one of our strengths, and it is to be hoped that we can improve on this.

London Production division

186 LPD's target for 2004 was 1,320 new members. To date we have recruited 1,174. Given that we have an unfilled vacancy for an official, our recruitment effort in 2005 will need to be focused on specific initiatives. In order to meet our financial targets, the recruitment in LPD in 2005 needs to be 1,500 new members.

Television production

187 A major priority is to increase the use of the PACT/BECTU Freelance Production Agreement. Linked to this we will increase the number of visits to TV studios: we are now receiving information on independent productions from PACT and will use this to prioritise studio and site visits.

188 During 2005 we will once again organise meetings in Brighton, Maidstone, Southampton, and Cambridge/Norwich to re-establish our profile in these areas.

Film and Commercials production

189 The dominant view is that 2005 will be a difficult time for film production in the UK, with lower levels of production than 2003 and 2004. We intend to visit every major film set. Teams of officials have been put together specifically to cover productions based at Pinewood and Leavesden, and Shepperton.

190 We have seen a small upturn in commercial production during 2004, and it is looking likely that this will continue in 2005.

Freelance branches

191 To complement production-based work in TV and film, we will work with members in the freelance branches to build on the recruitment effort seen in 2004. Branches with over 300 members are our first priority as these represent significant numbers of existing members, and in most cases are based on departments with good recruitment potential. The targets for these branches for 2005, based on recruitment performance in 2004, are:

Hair and Make-up 87
Sound 113
Camera 205
Production Department 82
Post Production & Facilities 135
Art Department 72
Writers, Producers & Directors 162
FAA 94

Overall target 950

192 Our next priority area is branches with between 100 and 300 members, where the targets are:

Graduates/New entrants 140
Production services 56
Grips 24
SFX 27
Set Crafts 43
Costume and Wardrobe 15
Props 27
Riggers 68

Overall target 400

193 Our final priority area is Animation. This is currently a holding branch under the LPD committee. We hope that the committee will be able to re-launch the branch and recruit in an area of high potential and growth:

Target 150

Regional Production division

194 RPD's target for 2004 was 395 new members. To date we have recruited 661. It is for our officials and members to build on this success and our target for 2005 is 500. The recruitment initiative has once again been divided along major regional work centres.

Liverpool-Manchester-Leeds

195 In Liverpool our main focus will continue to be Mersey TV. We have frequently visited the site and are building on our membership base.

196 Manchester's focus will be to increase membership among freelances working into Granada TV and 3Sixtymedia.

197 Leeds' focus will be to work towards freelance recognition on the drama production at Yorkshire TV.

198 Our overall target here is 225.

Cardiff-Bristol

199 We have good access to many production companies in South Wales, which has allowed BECTU's profile to remain high. We are also looking to target the animation studios within the area. Our target is 140.

Scotland

200 We will press on with our recognition claim for freelance workers within the BBC. Our target is 55.

Other RPD branches

201 Whilst we have highlighted the three major production centres, this does not mean that we will ignore the other branches and regions. We will encourage the committees to recruit within their own areas. Our target is 80.

Labs division

202 It is well recognised that there is no scope for significant membership growth in the Labs division. However we will continue to seek an extension of our recognition arrangement within the Deluxe group, and to improve our membership levels at Deluxe Enfield which has the greatest growth potential.

203 However, given the low level of UK film production expected in 2005, Deluxe Video's difficult trading position, and the possible sale of the Deluxe group overall, we cannot rule out more redundancies at any of the labs.

204 Based on our experience so far in 2004, we will need to recruit 90 new members in 2005 to maintain our existing level.

BBC recruitment

205 In the six months since annual conference in 2004 recruitment in the BBC has held up very well. In 2002 the net increase over the whole year was 302 members and in 2003 it was 430 members. This year we are on target to have a net gain at 360. The average members recruited per month in 2003 was 84 and the average in 2004 is 99. This increase in recruitment is entirely down to the efforts of branch activists, the lay members on full-time release and BBC officials. The other side of the recruitment equation is the issue of retention and this year's figures are better than last year which averaged 82 per month leaving the union whilst in 2004 the average is 73 members per month.

206 The New Starters Programme has continued to write out to all those starting a new contract at the BBC and a small but steady stream of those written to take up the offer and join BECTU. We are having greater success in encouraging branches to follow up the initial letter with a visit, since face-to-face is the best method of recruitment. We have encouraged branches to map the membership and identify where recruitment effort would be best targeted and this has also paid dividends wherever it has been done.

207 The main areas of growth have been in non-traditional BECTU areas with recruitment in Production at the BBC being generally good. BBC Technology/Siemens was anomalous in that despite a vigorous campaign during the process of privatisation, non-members proved particularly resistant to joining the union. Elsewhere in the limited companies owned by the BBC, recruitment has been steady and membership has increased particularly in BBC Broadcast Ltd.

208 The focus of our recruitment efforts in the early part of 2004 has been changed and the target areas are now BBC Bristol and Bush House although we will continue to target BBC Woodlands and BBC Belfast. BBC Cardiff will no longer receive regular visits but a programme of recruitment training has been initiated and that appears to have improved the branch's recruitment efforts. A series of visits have been put in the diary for BBC Bristol as well as Bush House and they will be reviewed to ensure that they are working effectively.

209 The announcement of redundancies at the BBC on 7 December 2004 will cause problems for our membership and will inevitably lead to a significant number losing their jobs. However, it is probable that we will be able to recruit in significant numbers since staff will be very concerned about their future.

Training as part of the recruitment and retention strategy

Introduction

210 A study by the TUC in 2004 showed that where unions had involved themselves enthusiastically in the learning agenda they had 'clearly demonstrated benefits which include: increased organisation; increased activism; increased membership; increased diversity; improved skills and confidence of members and reps, and improved perceptions of members/managers.'

211 As did the TUC, BECTU recognised some time ago that training (now usually called learning and skills) was an increasingly central part of a modern and progressive trade union. The appointment of a Training Officer and the decision to seek Union Learning Fund support to develop the learning agenda within BECTU and amongst our wider membership are evidence that learning and skills are not seen as peripheral concerns. The expansion of the Training Officer's responsibility to include the training of reps as well as vocational training also demonstrated a keen understanding by BECTU of the relationship between learning, skills, improved organisation and membership growth.

212 It must be emphasised that training and organising are medium- to long-term strategies for growth, and require a clear and consistent approach with sufficient resources deployed to achieve the required outcomes. As a union we are still in the early stages of a radical shift in our approach towards becoming a genuinely organising union and we are only just beginning to see the rewards of this approach. The contribution of training is to lay the foundations for a first class and professional reps training programme, to raise the necessary external finance to organise a network of Union Learning reps, and to promote and support the vocational training needs particularly of our freelance members.

213 Over the next five to ten years the focus of education and training within trade unions will increase, as will the resources (internal and external) that need to be invested in them. The launch of a new Union Academy by the TUC, the National Skills Strategy and the review of tax relief for voluntary organisations (based on their educational spending and investment) will all encourage this development. This report confirms that BECTU is well positioned to play an important role in these developments.

Progress in 2004

214 2004 has been a very busy year that may in retrospect be seen as a laying down of foundations for the future.

215 The role of the BECTU Training Officer is to:

• Train and develop a strong national network of lay representatives, branch officers and activists.
• Represent BECTU within the wider union movement on matters of education and training.
• Represent BECTU on bodies that influence vocational training.
• Seek to advantage BECTU members in accessing vocational training and other forms of professional development.

216 There are thus two aspects to the role; first, that of building the capacity of the union to organise, recruit and act collectively to the benefit of members; second, that of facilitating and promoting vocational training to advantage members individually in the labour market.

217 This part of the Training Officer's report will identify the progress made in support of organising objectives

Building the organising capacity of the union

218 Reps training is essential to build a growing, campaigning, organising union. In 2003, 57 reps attended courses not including BBC courses; in 2004 that number trebled to 177 not including BBC courses. This year we will aim to recruit 250 reps to courses.

219 BECTU courses in 2004 included:

Induction for new reps
Communication Skills
Health and safety part1
Dealing with members issues
Health and safety part 2
Getting Organised
Tackling Stress at work
Introduction to Employment Law
Negotiation Skills
Learning Reps 1

220 BECTU reps and activists have also attended courses run by the TUC and GFTU, but most reps express a preference for our own courses and the short-course format we offer them. The BECTU reps training programme is delivered by South Thames College TUC Unit with the Training Officer also running some courses. The courses are accredited through the TUC and there is no cost to BECTU apart from travel and subsistence.

221 During 2004 a small number of courses were piloted at Ruskin College and Northern College. Though popular with the members who attended and though heavily subsidised, there is however a cost to residential training and there are no plans to run courses at these colleges during 2005. With the establishment of improved training facilities at BECTU head office and in Wales and Scotland we will be able to offer more training for more reps at less cost in 2005 than in 2004.

222 A new type of organising course was piloted at BBC Cardiff with the support of NO Anna Kruthoffer. A series of single day courses based on the TUC course 'Winning the Organised Workplace' is planned with each day leading to an action plan to be carried out by the members present. They then report on progress at the next training day at the end of which they will plan their next activities. This is a form of work-based learning which has been designed to make learning part of the organising process and the organising part of the learning experience for reps. We hope many more workplace groups of reps will take up this course in 2005.

223 In 2005 the course programme will undergo further development to ensure that courses are relevant to all reps, lay officials and activists. This will be achieved by:

• Updating the key courses
• Customising some courses to meet the needs of freelancers
• Running programmes in Wales, Scotland and the North West
• Running a new organising course at local workplaces/branches
• A new series of one-day health and safety updates
• A new series of one-day discipline and grievance procedures updates (to accredit experienced reps in line with the ACAS regs)
• Developing courses on equality and diversity issues.

Externally funded projects

224 The details of these projects are given elsewhere in this conference report. All projects have been designed and are being carried out to support the organising agenda.

Conclusion

225 The need for continuing professional development for reps and activists will be a strong theme of the training strategy during 2005-2006 and beyond because it is the key to the organising agenda. The growing demand for 'briefings' and 'updates', though important, will not develop union activists with a sense of solidarity and a deep knowledge of trade unionism and its values. Only continual engagement with training and supported/mentored activity at work can assist this development. This will be the main thrust of the training strategy for reps during the next few years.

Courses and venues

226 A full programme will be held in the dedicated training room at BECTU head office (located in the basement of the annex). This room is not accessible for people with impaired mobility and the training facility is located temporarily there pending further development of the head office accommodation. In the meantime if any member applies to attend a course but may be excluded because of the present training room location, the course will be relocated to an accessible room.

227 For 2005 the Induction and Key Skills for BECTU Reps courses will also run in Scotland and Wales. In both cases the training facilities will be very close to the union office. Some of the specialist courses can also run locally on request, resources permitting.

228 All courses can be booked by e-mail to [email protected], or via the website www.learningstudio.org.uk, or via Tracey Hunt at head office on 0207 346 0900. A prospectus outlining the course programme and explaining how to apply has been produced and circulated widely.

229 The courses that are outlined in the prospectus are designed for BECTU representatives and not members more widely. Some of the courses are more appropriate for employees but many are suitable for freelance branch officers and active members. All courses are accredited with the Open College Network through the TUC.

230 It is recommended that all reps receive some training. If they are new to the role then the best options will be the Induction and Key Skills parts of the programme. The follow-on courses presume some familiarity with being an active trade unionist and some knowledge of law and procedures. These courses, e.g. negotiation, communication, organising, are suitable for all types of representatives, including Workplace, Safety and Learning reps, who have had basic training.

231 The courses are delivered by our partners in TUC Education with some input from the Training Officer. Our partners are the TUC Education Units at South Thames College in London, Bridgend College in South Wales and Stow College in Glasgow.

232 The above courses form part of the union's recruitment and retention strategy. More vocational courses will also be run at head office including Introduction to Risk Assessment, Movie Magic, Final Cut Pro and Maya.

Services to members

Stage Screen & Radio

233 The predominant theme throughout the last year's editions of Stage Screen & Radio was public service broadcasting, as the BBC Charter review process went forward and ITV campaigned for the new light touch regulator Ofcom to reduce its obligations. Three cover stories were devoted to the issue, following the union's campaign. 'Living Dangerously' (July/August) asked what future there was for public service broadcasting after the charter and Ofcom reviews; 'Broken promises' (November) asked whether Ofcom would allow ITV to break its commitments; while 'BBC staff hammered' (December/January) described the results of the BBC's own proposals.

234 In addition to these features every issue carried more reports on union negotiations and campaigns in relation to the BBC and ITV companies.

235 Recognition was a frequent topic in the freelance pages of the magazines, beginning with the groundbreaking success of the wildlife filmmakers at the BBC Natural history Unit, and continuing with the campaign among freelances at BBC Scotland.

236 Monitoring the PACT Agreement was another recurrent theme, with freelance workers being asked to help the union monitor contracts that were being issued by PACT member companies. And regular reports were run on FAA matters, in particular the campaign to ban upfront fees, and the establishment and activities of NASAA, the new agents' association.

237 The journal carried more reports from the laboratories, such as the British Film Institute's plans for the National Film Archive, and a feature warning of the potential for catastrophic job losses if digital projection is adopted across the board by cinemas.

238 The main themes in the Arts & Entertainment division coverage were the continuing discussions and negotiations with the TMA and SOLT. Other features included a cover story on the government's funding cuts to the Arts Council of England, the crisis at Scottish Opera, and the continuing success of learning initiatives in the theatre industry including the Tosca Project.

239 Stage Screen & Radio played a leading role in the campaign on the union's political fund review ballot, running a cover story and a double page feature setting out the case for a Yes vote. All letters received on the issue were published.

240 The government has made or proposed many changes to the law that do or could affect BECTU members, and the journal has given a lot of coverage of these matters. This included advice on new holiday rights for workers and new procedures relating to employment tribunals. A feature on surveillance at work looked at how more and more union members were fed up with it, but showing how the government's ID card proposals could make it much worse. Settlements by the union's lawyers were reported including one concerning asbestos and another regarding a woman at Channel M Television who was sacked for being pregnant.

241 BECTU members volunteered articles on several matters, in particular two members who were braving life-threatening risks to help young Iraqis to train in broadcasting skills, and one freelance member who sent in his sorry tale of attempting to claim the Job Seekers Allowance.

242 Regrettably few reports were sent in by branch secretaries and chairs. These will be warmly welcomed and all branch secretaries and chairs in every division of the union are urged to send in reports of their branch's activities if they would like them to be published in their magazine.

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Proposition 25/05 Feedback to members (AP11)

That this annual conference is alarmed at the widespread apathy of members participation in union business and believes that this is at least partly due to lack of feedback to individual members about what the union is doing.

Conference therefore instructs the NEC to arrange for all members to receive individually, either in or with Stage Screen & Radio, at least a pr�cis of the proceedings of the NEC meetings. Similar arrangements are to be made for reports back to all relevant* members in the divisions of their respective divisional conferences and divisional committee meetings.

* relevant - means that divisional conference and divisional committee matters need only be reported individually to members in that particular division

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Proposition 26/05 Value for money (AP13)

That this annual conference is seriously concerned at the perception by many members that the union is failing to offer value for money.

The NEC is therefore instructed to pay urgent attention to the dissemination of information to members to highlight the services and activities that the union offers and how members can benefit from these services and benefits.

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Research

243 The main submissions on public policy issues over the past year are set out below under broad subject headings. Additionally, the union has provided information to the TUC Strategic Review (on organising issues) and to the Labour Party National Policy Forum (on film, public service broadcasting, BBC, ITV and theatre).

Broadcasting

244 The BBC Charter Review has obviously been a major concern during the past year. The union has made submissions:
to the DCMS Consultation on Charter Review
to the BBC on 'Building Public Value' and on the four Strategic Reviews
to the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Charter Renewal.

245 Of similar significance has been the Ofcom Review of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB). The union has made successive submissions to Ofcom - on the Phase 1 consultation, on their Phase 1 report and on their Phase 2 document. Issues covered include the future of PSB, BBC, ITV, Channel Four, Five, ITV regional programming, the independent quota and the proposed Public Service Publisher.

246 The union has also prepared a submission to the Ofcom consultation on Radio. Additionally, the union gave written and verbal evidence to the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on the Carlton/Granada merger; as well as a general submission to the DTI on Public Interest Interventions in Media Mergers.

Theatre

247 The union made a submission to the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry into Public Support for Theatre. This focused on the recent DCMS spending settlement which involves a funding freeze for the period 2005-2008.

Europe

248 BECTU has produced briefings expressing concern on the draft directive on Services in the Internal Market. As currently worded, the draft directive, through the 'country of origin principle', could undermine local employment law and collective agreements as well as regulatory protections for the audiovisual sector.

249 The Services Directive would have a particularly devastating effect on freelance members. Whilst it stops short of making it illegal for them to belong to a trade union, it would remove their right to have their terms and conditions negotiated by their trade union, or for them to operate to any collective agreement regarding their terms and conditions.

250 BECTU also continues to lobby both the European Commission and the DTI for a phasing out of the 48 hour opt-out (as covered in the review of the Working Time Directive). The Commission's proposals, at the time of writing, would not only fail to phase out the opt-out, but would extend it to other member states and potentially undermine collective bargaining on this issue.

251 The union continues to convene meetings of the European Working Group. Following the loss of Barbara O'Toole, who was not re-elected in the European Elections in 2004, Mary Honeyball MEP has agreed to attend meetings of the Group.

Employment law

252 The union has continued to monitor the provisions of the Employment Relations Act 2004 - and particularly the development of a Code of Practice governing Unfair Labour Practices (i.e. intimidation by employers) during union recognition campaigns.

253 Additionally, BECTU made a submission to government on the revised Employment Tribunal regulations and rules.

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Proposition 27/05 DTI employment agency standards (AP24)

That this annual conference deplores the practice of employment agencies being allowed to charge up-front fees to work-seekers and to charge excessive commission rates, despite attempts to regulate their conduct.

Conference therefore calls on the NEC, with the assistance if possible of the TUC, to lobby the Department of Trade and Industry to: (a) abolish all up-front fees; (b) reintroduce the licencing of agencies; (c) set a statutory cap on agency commission rates.

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Legal service

254 In the past year, the union has held regular meetings with Thompsons in order to monitor service standards, process any complaints and explore new initiatives. The union's internal legal panel has continued to meet on a monthly basis in order to monitor referrals to Thompsons.

255 The legal service has, as in previous years, won significant amounts of compensation for members in personal injury and employment law cases. The 24-hour helpline is an additional avenue for personal injury referrals as well as for initial advice on non-employment matters.

256 The NEC at its meeting in January 2005 decided to put the legal services contract up for tender. This will take place in January 2006. There will be two contracts: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and another for Scotland.

Copyright

257 BECTU's activity on copyright has been demonstrated in the work of the Copyright Committee; in the advice provided by copyright consultant Janet Ibbotson; in the union's affiliation to the collecting society DACS (the Design and Artists' Collecting Society); in our participation in the directors' rights agreement with broadcasters; in our affiliation to the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright; and in the union's Script Registration Service.

258 Issues covered indicate a suggested programme proposal pack, EU copyright policy, moral rights, screen credits and public art commissions. A successful open meeting was held by the Writers Producers Directors branch, including Janet Ibbotson as a panel member.

Health and safety

259 The union's industrial work on health and safety continues through our network of safety representatives and activists, as well as BECTU full-time officials.

260 The union continues to produce a Health & Safety Bulletin for all safety reps and activists. This is now supplemented by a Safety Representatives' Network, through which reps can contact each other directly to exchange information and experience. The union's National Health and Safety Committee continues to meet to review national and divisional developments on health and safety. The union is also represented on the HSE's Joint Advisory Committee for our industry (BJAC) and its various working groups. A reprint of the union's Health & Safety Craft Cards is planned.

261 Health and safety issues arising in the recent year include: the Work at Height Regulations; Skillset's review of some safety-critical occupational standards; the Noise at Work Regulations; and HSE Inspections in our sector (most recently at the BBC).

262 In early 2005 the union submitted a bid to the HSE Workers' Safety Adviser (WSA) Challenge Fund for the employment for one year of a WSA in the independent production for TV sector. Though unsuccessful, the bid will be repeated this autumn in the next funding round.

Skillset Research Committee

263 BECTU continues to be represented on the committee overseeing Skillset's work in collecting and presenting data on the labour market in the audio-visual sector. These include the Employment Census 2004, preparation for the 2005 Workforce Survey, and more specific projects.

Appendix A

Propositions carried and remitted at the 2004 conference [101k pdf]

Appendix B

Income and expenditure forecast for 2005 [46k pdf]

Appendix C

Membership statistics [74k pdf]

Appendix D

Equal opportunities policy [62k pdf]