Contracting out bid fails

West End theatre housekeeping staff keep their jobs after BECTU opposition to contracting out.

West End theatres Albery, Donmar Wharehouse, Piccadilly, Wyndham's and Whitehall have dropped plans to transfer cleaning working from theatre staff to Ridgeway Cleaning Limited following opposition from the union.

The bid from Ridgeway proposed paying cleaners £4.30 to £4.50 per hour rather than the BECTU negotiated minimum of £5.55.

Ridgeway has no collective bargaining arrangements or recognition with any trade union.

During the bidding process staff had been sent a letter asking them to opt out of the 48 hours working time limit, pay for company uniforms and warned them they would be subject to vetting.

Although protected by the TUPE Regulations covering transfer to new employers, staff refusing to accept the new terms were warned they would not be eligible for overtime payments and shift premiums if they did not sign.

Commenting on the housekeeping staff BECTU West End theatre officer Mark David-Gray said "Our members recognise themselves as theatre workers and often work in theatre in other capacities".