News archives 2009

BECTU and the NUJ have accused the BBC and ITV of bad faith following their confirmation of plans to share regional news resources.

Statutory holiday entitlement for all employees and workers, which includes most freelances, will increase from 1 April 2009.

BECTU is supporting the Put People First! march for jobs, justice and climate which will take place in London on 28 March.

Applications are invited from BECTU members for the 2009 Alfie Squires Educational Bursary.

BECTU’s new Student Register is now open for students thinking of a career in the media and entertainment industries.

ITV has once again thrown its staff into turmoil with today’s announcement that it plans to shed more than 600 jobs.

BECTU has condemned ITV’s plans to effectively close its Yorkshire Studios putting at risk hundreds of staff and freelance jobs.

For staff and freelances working in the cultural sector, the Cardiff Media Fair on Saturday 7 March is too good an opportunity to miss.

BECTU is lending its support to a Private Members’ Bill which seeks to change the law on statutory redundancy pay.

Maggie’s End, a play which examines Margaret Thatcher’s legacy from the perspective of the industrial North, is coming to London.

Speculation about ITV’s imminent announcement on the company’s 2008 performance and its impact on jobs is continuing.

A piano recital is to be held in London next month to raise funds for the Jimmy Knapp Cancer Fund.

BECTU’s pursuit of payments for members owed money by OB company, Televideo, is paying off.

Solidarity messages have been received by BBC World Service staff who are striking today (Thursday) to prevent offshoring of their work.

BECTU has sent congratulations to Richard Pryke, sound recordist, who has won an Oscar for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.

Staff working for BBC World Service’s South Asia section are to take part in a 24-hour strike this coming Thursday 26 February.

More than three years after the TV Wrap campaign, are new entrants working in film and television any better off?

If you live in Wales, or within reasonable commuting distance, Cardiff is the place to be on Saturday 7 March.

Members working for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford have voted to accept a 3% pay award for 2009-10.

BECTU has today (Thursday) formally notified the BBC that it will ballot its members in Glasgow to resist compulsory redundancies.

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

Branch secretaries are being sent key annual conference documentation this week together with Conference Document 3.

BECTU Cymru’s Media Fair, which takes place in Cardiff on Saturday 7 March 2009, is now taking bookings.

The BBC has expressed “surprise” at the claim by its recognised unions for an increase of £1800 per person from 1 August.

BECTU joins the industry tonight (Sunday) in celebrating the BAFTA award for excellence conferred on Pinewood and Shepperton Studios.

The Theatre Safety Committee is encouraging theatre workers to use a new reporting tool to help improve health and safety in theatres.

The British Society of Cinematographers is inviting BECTU members to its annual show at Elstree Studios on 13-14 March 2009.

Is health and safety “the bull in the china shop” the element of programme-making which constrains creativity?

The union’s 2009 programme of career development courses is now available online.

BECTU has today (Wednesday) submitted its pay claim for 2009-10 on behalf of its BBC membership.

BECTU has called on the BBC to rethink its position over the broadcast of a humanitarian aid appeal for Gaza.

Travel time for staff and rest day provision for freelances are amongst measures which have helped to resolve the dispute on River City.

BECTU’s NEC has agreed a donation towards humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Cost-cutting by ITV has caused Fremantle to propose redundancies on The Bill.

The launch of BECTU’s new website, which it was expected would take place this week, has been deferred.

BECTU has welcomed yesterday’s announcement that new funds are to be allocated to the build of the Olympics 2012 media centre.

BECTU has criticised Ofcom for its decision to pave the way for ITV to withdraw from regional news altogether.

BECTU and the NUJ have urged Ofcom to steer clear of decisions which could put 1000s of broadcasting jobs at risk.

BECTU is preparing for the launch of its new website next week which will include facilities available to members only.