Leicester Haymarket strike vote

Leicester Haymarket Theatre staff members have voted by 88% for strike action.

Permanently employed members of BECTU at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester have voted to initiate a campaign of strike action following the breakdown of this year's pay negotiations.

Members are due to take action on 9, 12 and 13 October 2002 with further dates to be announced. This action is part of the union's campaign to address low pay within the theatre industry.

Last year the members at the Leicester Haymarket pulled back from the brink of strike action in order to allow the new senior management team at the theatre an opportunity to address members' concerns about low pay in the theatre.

This year's negotiations broke down when the company refused to improve a 2% pay offer.

The union has invited the company to make an improved offer which addresses their members concerns, using the conciliation services of ACAS if preferable.

However the union is not optimistic that this would result in a settlement as the last time both parties met there the company merely restated their offer and refused to conciliate.

Terms and conditions at the Leicester Haymarket are negotiated locally, and the theatre is one of those outside London that are not covered by the TMA (Theatre Managers' Association) agreement.