PROPOSITIONS CARRIED

Proposition 1/00 Conference

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to investigate the potential for innovative conference formats, including for instance interactive workshop sessions, multimedia presentations and keynote speakers, aimed at stimulating more imaginative participation by attendees. The NEC should either report its conclusions to conference in 2001, or publish them to branches in advance and implement them at that conference.

The National Executive Committee has conducted a wide-ranging consultation in respect of proposition 1 and the main conclusions of that consultation are contained within the main body of this report (see paragraph 25).

Proposition 2/00 Young members

That this annual conference calls on the NEC to act upon proposition 19/99 passed at last year's conference regarding the possible formation of some sort of Young Members Network or Forum. The aim of such a body should be to work for the recruitment, retention, representation and organisation of young people in our sector.

The National Executive Committee invited Matthew Bennett and Mark Davis to attend a meeting of the NEC to discuss how we could most effectively recruit and represent young members. Mark Davis has now passed the age at which he would be regarded as a young member. Matthew Bennett has continued to carry out a great deal of work for BECTU in this area representing BECTU at the UNI Young Members Conference and at several TUC forums. Ideally the NEC would like one of the officials to take responsibility for activities in this area. The staffing shortages that have existed during the last year has meant that this has not been a practical proposition. The Graduates/New Entrants branch already carries out a lot of work in this area and had a very successful evening at BAFTA seeking to bring young and new members together. The NEC continue to examine the most effective ways of achieving employment in this area.

Proposition 3/00 New entrant/graduate members' handbook

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to produce a handbook for New Entrant and Graduate members. This should include information about training within the industry; employment rights, especially concerning minimum pay and hours of work; and the structure and working practices of the union itself. This handbook should be put together with the fullest possible involvement of New Entrant and Graduate members through their branches and be available to members by the end of 2000. Once produced the handbook should automatically be sent to all relevant new members upon enrolment.

Although not completed by the end of 2000 the new entrant/graduate members' handbook will be completed by the time conference meets on the 12 May 2001.

Proposition 5/00 Convergence

That this annual conference, in view of the recent merger between America On Line and Time-Warner, which is a major move in the convergence of computer services and film and television broadcasting, asks that a cross-divisional debate be held on the issues raised by convergence for all members, and for the future of BECTU itself, in a forum similar to that used to consider the Working Time Regulations and Fairness at Work legislation.

The National Executive Committee is committed to organising an inter-divisional conference on the subject of convergence. We believe this to be particularly relevant in light of the government's Communications White Paper. The National Executive Committee sought to ensure that there was the widest possible consultation between the different divisions of the union before submitting the union's response to the Communications White Paper. The General Secretary is in discussions with the NUJ and Connect to see if other unions would like to participate in a conference on the subject of convergence.

Proposition 8/00 Privatisation

That this annual conference deplores the government's continuation of Tory privatisation policies. Conference considers that PFI (Private Finance Initiatives) and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) schemes being used in areas like the NHS, London Underground and schools, etc., are nothing more than privatisation by another name; even in the wake of the Paddington rail disaster, public safety is being placed at risk with New Labour's plans to privatise Air Traffic Control and the Tube. Conference calls on the NEC to campaign vigorously against PFI and PPP inside the Labour Party and the TUC, to write a letter to the Prime Minister expressing the union's opposition, support motions against PFI and PPP at the TUC and Labour Party conferences, and give support to TUC-supported campaigns or protests launched against PFI or PPP schemes.

BECTU's delegates to the TUC and to the Labour Party took proper note of the contents of this proposition and ensured that BECTU's delegation supported the appropriate proposition at the TUC and took the appropriate course of action at the Labour Party conference. A letter was sent to the Prime Minister on the 12 May 2000.

Proposition 9/00 Members' health

That this annual conference will not tolerate the jeopardy in which the nations' health is being put as a result of the government's underfunding of the NHS, pensions and other welfare. The NEC is therefore instructed to seek every possible opportunity of supporting measures and groups which seek to impress on government the need to increase significantly funding of all social and welfare programmes.

Proposition 10/00 NHS funding

That this annual conference notes the continued underfunding of the NHS.

We call upon the government to provide funds immediately to raise health spending to the European Union average. If there is not enough money in reserve, the top rate of income tax should be raised to meet the shortfall. The government should scrap Private Finance Initiatives. Profit making should play no part in running the NHS.

BECTU should take an active lead in raising these demands in the union movement.

Both these propositions are similar in many regards and again delegates to the TUC and Labour Party conferences were mindful of the contents of these propositions in determining BECTU's policy in respect of the various motions being discussed. The National Executive Committee has affiliated the union to the NHS Support Federation. The National Executive Committee, however, believes that some progress has been made in this area and are set out in the government's proposals on the Public Sector Spending Review.

Proposition 15/00 The global animation industry

That this annual conference urges that BECTU proposes that Media Entertainment International hold a conference on the global animation industry. The conference would address the implications that this global industry has for the convergence of film, media and broadcasting industries.

BECTU is in discussions with the World Executive Committee of UNI-MEI and we are seeking to persuade other colleagues to agree to hold an international conference on the global animation industry.

Proposition 18/00 Working Time Regulations

That this annual conference notes that the Working Time Regulations are worded in such a way that unscrupulous employers continue to demand excessive working hours and to deny workers their statutory breaks.

In particular the facility to have derogations on breaks adversely affects freelances and casuals, thereby making permanent employment vulnerable.

Accordingly this conference instructs the NEC to campaign in the TUC and Labour Party for:

1. improvements to the Working Time Regulations
2. more effective penalties
3. collective legal action with the trade union able to pursue claims.

We hope to be announcing that we have successfully challenged the provision of the Working Time Regulations dealing with paid annual leave. BECTU is the first trade union to have taken the British government to the European Court and have its policy ruled unlawful. We have been pursuing the TUC and the government for further improvements to the Working Time Regulations and will continue to do so.

Proposition 19/00 Equitable remuneration right

That this annual conference urges that BECTU supports and campaigns for the payment of equitable remuneration due to Animation artists and other creatives in BECTU where this issue is not yet being directly addressed.

The National Executive Committee referred this proposition to the London and Regional Production divisions of the union. These divisions had noted the existing work of the Directors Rights Campaign and the Copyright Committee in collaboration with DACS in this area. The two production divisions are currently in dialogue with the Copyright Committee and are considering whether other groups of creative workers are in a position to pursue industrial strategies equivalent to that of the Directors Rights Campaign.

Proposition 20/00 Production safety plans

That this annual conference welcomes BECTU's positive input to the recent work of the HSE Broadcasting and Performing Arts Joint Advisory Committee and its various working parties on production health and safety issues. However conference notes with concern that too many employers and production companies in this sector are still failing to prioritise health and safety or carry out their legal duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workforce. As a result they are continuing to put the lives of BECTU members and others at risk.

Conference believes that systematic approaches to production health and safety planning, risk assessment, monitoring and review procedures should be prioritised by employers and designers, and should be subject to full consultation with BECTU safety representatives and/or officials.

To this end, conference instructs the NEC to ask the union's National Health and Safety Committee and the officials concerned to press for the use of Production Safety Plans (or equivalent) by employers and production companies, and for effective consultation on all stages of planning, organisation, risk assessment, implementation, monitoring and review.

Conference also instructs the NEC to raise these issues with the Federation of Entertainment Unions and to seek to establish regular liaison between FEU affiliates to encourage the promotion and adoption of Production Safety Planning within the industry.

Conference asks the NEC to report back to the next BECTU annual conference on progress made on this matter.

This proposition was also referred to the London and Regional Production divisions. These divisions have taken the view that the aims of this proposition could be best achieved in film and TV by building on the work which is already under way with the HSE by publishing and implementing good practice guidance for employers. The Arts & Entertainment division have now looked at the principles of this proposition and have agreed that it should be raised through the HSE. There is also a Federation of Entertainment Unions dimension to this proposition. Acting AGS Martin Spence has met with Pauline Dalby of the Musicians' Union and Tim Gale of Equity and they have agreed to work together and share information.

Proposition 25/00 On-line directory/employment service

That this annual conference asks the NEC to undertake a feasibility study into setting up an on-line directory/employment service which would allow freelance members to post their CVs on the site, with photographs and signposts to samples of their work if necessary, and which would allow employers free access to search those sites to meet their requirements. On completion of the study, if the results are positive, conference asks that implementation of such a service be undertaken with all due speed.

The National Executive Committee have concluded that it would not be practical, cost-efficient or effective for BECTU to launch its own directory service. We have therefore been working to reach agreements with other organisations who have well-developed plans in this area. We have reached an agreement with Artism whereby BECTU members can receive a listing in their on-line directory at preferential rates. We have been in discussions with The Knowledge as well as other organisations. The principle we are seeking to apply is that we will promote an organisation provided we are satisfied that it is financially sound and provided it will offer BECTU members preferential rates that they could not obtain by approaching that organisation directly.

Proposition 26/00 Pensions advice

That this annual conference, in view of the lack of any pensions scheme for freelances, the age profile of the union, and the difficulties many members have who have changed employment a number of times, asks that the NEC explores with urgency the possibility of independent individual pensions advice being made available to all freelance members as a service of the union. In addition, this conference asks that the NEC continue to explore the possibility of a freelance pension scheme, which would be available to all freelances, and report back to the next conference with their findings on such a scheme.

The National Executive Committee have carried out a great deal of work in respect of this proposition and together with our pension provider, Berkeley Burke Bespoke Brokers, launched the BECTU Stakeholder Pension Scheme in October 2000. A number of companies and members have already signed up to this scheme and we believe that the BECTU Stakeholder Pension Scheme will become the industry norm.

Proposition 27/00 Design 'pitching'

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to make arrangements for guidelines to be prepared, to prevent abuse by production companies of the design 'pitching' process.

This proposition was referred to the London Production division who discussed it at their meeting on the 19 June 2000. The committee noted that the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright had a Code of Practice which covers copyright protection for scripts, treatments, programme proposals, etc. The committee therefore felt that the best way to pursue this issue was to ask the Copyright Committee to look again at this Code with a view to extending its scope to cover design pitching as well.

Proposition 28/00 Payment on time

That this annual conference takes steps:

• to lobby the Labour government for new legislation covering those delinquent employers who do not pay their employees on time;
• to ensure that those employees who work under a temporary contract of employment have a legal right, not only in theory but also in practice, to be paid by the employer within 30 days, with particular reference to those employees who are also classified as self-employed for tax purposes, such as actors and artists in the entertainment industry;

so that those employers who flout this proposed legislation will face effective late payment fines.

We have continued to lobby the DTI with the help of the TUC to amend the regulations on the above matter.

Emergency Proposition 1/00 Chechnya

This annual Conference calls on BECTU to urge the British government to do everything in its power to ensure the Russian government's compliance with the Council of Europe Resolution. (The Council of Europe has suspended Russia until it calls a cease-fire in Chechnya and starts political negotiations). And furthermore to take all necessary steps to ensure free access and safety for the Red Cross and other agencies to work for the relief of the people of Chechnya and the 200,000 refugees who have been driven into neighbouring countries.

The General Secretary has, where possible, associated BECTU's name with petitions and letters that are in line with the intention of this proposition.

Emergency Proposition 2/00 Asylum and immigration

This conference condemns the Asylum and Immigration Act enforced on 3 April 2000. It further condemns the torrent of abuse currently being aimed at asylum seekers by sections of the national press.

We demand that New Labour halts its attacks on asylum seekers in particular its policy of forced dispersal, the voucher system and detention. We believe these policies are racist and are leading to an increase in racist attacks.

We further believe that asylum seekers are not to blame for the lack of housing, jobs and the underfunding of schools and the NHS and call on the government to tax the rich to fund these public services.

This BECTU conference welcomes the stand taken by the NUJ and Bill Morris against New Labour's asylum immigration policies and instructs the General Secretary and the NEC to add their names to the statement launched by the NUJ and to allocate funds to help with its publication in the national press.

The General Secretary has indicated to the NUJ that his name and that of BECTU can be added to the names to the statement launched by the NUJ on this matter. The National Executive Committee have not received any request to provide funding.

Emergency Proposition 3/00 London Mayor

This conference congratulates Ken Livingstone on his election as Mayor of London, and instructs the General Secretary to write to Mr Livingstone conveying the support of conference.

Furthermore, that the NEC should ensure that the union forges links with the new Mayor and assembly in order to advance the interests of the industry and its members.

The General Secretary wrote to Ken Livingstone on the 10 May 2000 congratulating him on his election as Mayor of London, and requesting a meeting with him and his colleagues at a mutually convenient time. No response was received to this letter.

PROPOSITIONS REMITTED

Proposition 6/00 Broadcasting regulation

That this annual conference agrees that broadcasting in Scotland should no longer be a reserved power to Westminster.

The BBC divisional committee, IB divisional committee, Scottish Committee and the Wales Area Committee have all been asked to consider this proposition. The BBC divisional committee has carried a proposition arguing that broadcasting regulations should continue to be a reserved power to Westminster. The Scottish Committee and the Wales Area Committee have both now considered this proposition and come to the same conclusion. Both committees accept that there is no pressing case for devolving responsibility for broadcasting to Scotland or Wales at this time, and both take the view that those regulatory bodies responsible for any aspect of broadcasting in Scotland or Wales should make regular reports to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. The IB divisional committee has concluded that while the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies should be properly consulted in relation to broadcasting legislation, and representatives from those bodies should sit on the boards of the industry's regulatory bodies, the legislative responsibilities for broadcasting should remain a reserve power to Westminster.

Proposition 17/00 Competitiveness with other unions

That this annual conference instructs the NEC to recognise that in many areas where there is joint recognition, BECTU is losing existing and potential members by having a higher subscription than competing unions, such as the NUJ. In acknowledging the problem the NEC must examine and propose solutions which make BECTU subscriptions both competitive and affordable to the low paid and, as a consequence, create a potential for income growth.

The National Executive Committee hopes that the subscription proposition it is putting to annual conference is a positive step in seeking to meet the aims and objectives of this proposition. It is, however, important that we seek to ensure that we have sufficient staff to service members properly as well as keeping subscription payments at reasonable levels.

Proposition 21/00 Competent personnel

That this annual conference proposes the introduction of an approved list of competent Art Department personnel to ensure both safety in the workplace and quality of service.

This was referred to the London Production and Regional Production divisions. The London Production division believes that the best way to pursue the issue outlined in this proposition within its area was to ask the Art Department branch to conduct a survey of its own members seeking information on their qualifications, training, experience and other measures of competence. It is also expected that the work of the Audio-visual Industry Training Committee will have some impact in this area.

Proposition 22/00 Transfer of Undertakings Regulations

That this annual conference seeks a speedy revision of the TUPE regulations to include especially a redundancy option for those to be transferred which might be taken by those affected together with any attendant procedures relevant to their present conditions of service.

BECTU's delegations to the TUC and Labour Party have sought to satisfy the objectives of this proposition by supporting the appropriate motions at those conferences.