News archives 1997

BECTU is producing a series of health and safety advice cards for freelances working in film and TV.

BECTU members in BBC Resources are being instructed not to take part in meetings where job competencies are being discussed.

BECTU is establishing an annual showcase to highlight the work of media graduates from around the UK.

The BECTU General Secretary election will take place from March until May 1998, the union's National Executive Committee (NEC) has decided.

Following informal discussions with BBC management a further meeting about the proposed cuts in London TV Studio Operations has been agreed.

ABC cinemas plan to sell off 25 cinemas from its chain of more than 80 traditional-style cinemas.

Talks with BBC management concerning 13% post cuts at Television Centre's Studio Operations section have broken down.

BECTU will be at the Vision & Audio 97 broadcast equipment show to be held at Earls Court in early November.

Almost a year after they became law in Britain, some employers and managers have begun to ask how they should go about implementing new UK health and safety regulations.

The union is on standby to step up the campaign against BBC Resources Ltd, after reports that the Board of Governors may resume consideration of the plan.

BECTU and Women in Film & Television have teamed up with Sony to present a digital technology open day.

Manchester will be the venue for BECTU's Annual Conference, due to be held 16 May 1998.

BBC management propaganda supporting the conversion of the Resources Directorate into a Limited Company is expected to change tack because of the EU's new protocol on Public Service Broadcasting.

An annual pay rise of 2.8% across the BBC has been implemented after BECTU members voted to accept the Corporation's offer.

Advice for BBC staff about appealing against decisions arising from this year's salary management decisions.

Media education and technical training are on the agenda for a seminar organised by BECTU due to be held in Central London this October.

BECTU's Western freelance branch has organised a film and television production digital open day with equipment demonstrations by Panasonic and Ikegami.

Fun Lovin' Criminals, Luciano and The Specials are set to headline the second TUC Respect free summer festival on 12 July.

Student members graduating this year can take advantage of reduced subscription for the first year of full BECTU membership.

Managers of BBC TV Centre's studios in London have stunned staff by announcing 31 cost-saving redundancies, after making a record profit in the last financial year.

Members of BECTU's London Production Division are invited to attend the division's annual conference in early June.

An open meeting to discuss the implications of new technology takes place in Cardiff on 21 May.

The London International Film School is the venue for a graduate and student BECTU evening.

New BECTU membership cards are now being issued to members across the union.

Time is running out for BECTU members in the BBC who have not yet signed the form to continue deductions of union subscriptions from their salaries.

BECTU is backing calls to all five UK television channels not to allow the British National Party (BNP) to have any party election broadcast because of the party's well known racist and fascist views.

The Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff is hosting a debate on the training and development of talent in the Welsh film industry.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse has introduced a new discount scheme for BECTU members.

BECTU and the NUJ have organised a meeting for radio freelances following a unilateral change in BBC contracts.

This year's BBC pay and conditions claim includes a pay increase no less than the average across industry.

The BBC Board of Governors have deferred making a decision on proposals to turn the Resources Directorate into a wholly-owned subsidiary.

BECTU will be at the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) 'Theatre Equipment for the 21st Century' trade show in early April.

BECTU's Independent Broadcasting Division is holding a seminar on the effects of the Pensions Act which comes into force on 1 April.

Birmingham is the venue for this meeting open to BECTU members in camera grades.

More than 125 years of BBC history come to an end this month, as two backbone departments disappear from the Corporation.

BECTU have met BBC management on their plans to turn the Corporation's Resources Directorate into a limited company.

BBC unions have again lobbied BBC Governors about plans to turn BBC Resources into a commercial company.

BECTU BBC members at a meeting in London vote no to turning the Corporation's Resources Directorate into a wholly-owned commercial company.

The Commercial West End Theatres branch is now holding regular monthly open meetings.

The issue of new BECTU membership cards will be delayed, with 1994-96 cards remaining valid until further notice.

An open meeting for all BECTU members who work regularly on OBs (Outside Broadcasts) will be held this month.

Rally organised by BECTU to oppose further break-up of the BBC to be held in West London on 17 February.

BECTU and Sony are hosting an open day on digital equipment and techniques in London this month.

BECTU BBC branches asked to comment on this year's union pay and conditions claim.

BECTU lobbies the BBC Governors about the possibility of a wholly owned subsidiary, BBC Resources Ltd., and the creation of new Production and Broadcast Directorates.