London theatres face Millennium strikes

BECTU members in six West End theatres are balloting for strike action over the Millennium holiday period.

The six venues, which all belong to the Society of London Theatres (SOLT), are the only theatres in London attempting to mount productions on New Year's Eve and New Year's day without paying a £200 premium to staff.

Other theatres in London and the rest of the UK have either agreed to the union claim for a premium payment, or plan to stay dark over the period.

Ballots began last Friday (December 10) among staff at the following theatres: Garrick, Gielgud, Phoenix, Piccadilly, Strand, Wyndhams. All ballots close on December 24, leaving time for the statutory 7 days notice of strike action to be given to the proprietors in time for stoppages over the New Year.