New dispute in London theatres
Theatre workers in London's West End could strike against changes in terms and conditions.
BECTU members who work for theatres belonging to SOLT, the Society of West End Theatre, have voted to oppose plans which include Sunday working and new job descriptions.
At a meeting in Covent Garden today, April 9, union members called for an industrial action ballot if theatre managers refuse to modify proposals which have been under discussion with BECTU since last December.
Under an interim agreement struck with the union, SOLT implemented a 3.1% pay increase backdated to November 1, in return for union participation in a joint working party set up to review a range of working practices.
At the time, BECTU hoped that SOLT would be willing to address staff concerns about pensions, career development, and facilities for union representatives. However, when the managers tabled their offer on March 27, many of the union's demands had been ignored despite three months of talks.
SOLT's package for change called for reduced crewing backstage, routine work on 6 days a week instead of 5 with Sundays included for the first time, compulsory overtime, and multi-skilling between stage crew and electricians.
In return, the employers' association offered a 12.5% pay increase, which, as members pointed out, would be cancelled out precisely by the abolition of so-called "show bonuses", another change included in SOLT's reorganisation package.
Throughout the working party talks the union has emphasised its view that back-stage staff in London's premier theatres already sacrifice enough family time and quality of life, without further reductions being made in their working conditions.
Following the well-attended mass meeting, the union is waiting to see if SOLT moves to resume discussions in an effort to broker peace. BECTU officials have said that they are willing to re-enter negotiations, but will press on with an industrial action ballot if there is no response from the employers.
The union is also preparing to publish full details of SOLT's proposals, after some West End managers implied that the union had not revealed details of the negotiations to members.
Press release issued by BECTU
Press information
Thursday 9 April 2001
West End theatre workers defend quality of life before profits
A mass meeting of West End theatre workers today unanimously instructed leaders of the broadcasting, entertainment, cinematograph, and theatre union (BECTU) to ballot them for industrial action if the employers' onganisation attempted to impose worsened pay and conditions.
The Society of London Theatre employers' association had said they would not continue talks on a new agreement unless the union agreed to six out of seven day working including Sundays, reduced crew levels, and a de-skilling "flexibility" scheme abolishing craft differences between electricians and stage technicians.
SOLT proposed the abolition of additional payments for show bonuses and Sunday working and the introduction of compulsory overtime. They offered a 12.5 per cent increase in basic pay in return for these changes.
The meeting, without dissent, rejected the three conditions on continued talks, and instructed the union leadership to ballot for industrial action if the employers attempted to impose the changes.
BECTU theatres officer Mark David-Gray said: "BECTU members recognise that the 12.5 per cent headline offer is worthless when the other changes are taken into account.
"West End theatre workers already work unsocial hours for little reward. This would be a return to Victorian working conditions. The employers need to recognise that increased profits cannot be gained at the expense of our work/like balance."
Contact: BECTU press officer Nick Wright on 020 7437 8506, mobile 0976 943514
or Mark David-Gray on 020 7437 8506, mobile 07979 758557