Strike ballot at Scottish Opera
BECTU is running an industrial action ballot after pay talks collapsed at ACAS.
The company could face disruption in the busy run up to Christmas if members vote for action in protest at their 2.5% pay offer.
Pay talks between the union and Scottish Opera were delayed this year while changes were negotiated in the house agreement which covers working conditions and grades. Both sides agreed to suspend the normal pay anniversary date of April 1 while discussions continued on re-grading of categories in the company, and revised working hours for many technical staff.
Once the new agreement had been signed off by BECTU, Scottish Opera made a pay offer of 2.5% backdated to April 1 2002 - the same percentage increase that had been awarded in 2001.
Members at the company were not convinced by management claims that there was insufficient funding for a higher increase, and called for a strike ballot.
If the ballot, which closes on December 6, produces a majority in support of industrial action, disruption could begin a week later, threatening shows which are due to run in the pre-Christmas period. However, the union has given an assurance that productions mounted in the theatre by Scottish Ballet, a separate company, would not be affected.
Potential industrial action at Scottish Opera
Last minute talks at ACAS to resolve a pay dispute for BECTU members at Scottish Opera have broken down today, when management refused to negotiate. A ballot for strike action commences Monday 18 November, and Shows likely to be affected in the run up to Christmas 2002 are, Scottish Ballet's production of "The Snowman", and Scottish Opera's week of productions before Christmas. Vital rehearsals immediately after Christmas for forthcoming productions are also liable to be hit.
Paul McManus BECTU Scottish Organiser says: "We are deeply disappointed at management's refusal to negotiate, and the process is not being helped by inflammatory and provocative statements by management. BECTU members will be meeting on Monday 18 November to decide when any potential action will take place. There is also increasing pressure from members to discuss a vote of 'No Confidence' in the management of Scottish Opera. Many of our members have become increasingly disillusioned, and angry at what they believe are huge budget overruns on various shows, yet management say there is no money for an above-inflation pay increase"
BECTU in Scotland is also deeply concerned that management say they cannot even afford the nationally agreed increase for Theatre workers because the Scottish Exceptive is not putting the same level of money into the Arts as Government has done in England.
McManus continues: "Scottish Opera are claiming that devolution in Scotland has turned Scottish Theatre workers into second class citizens. Because of devolution our members strongly believe that with proper management of their budget, management CAN afford a reasonable increase for our members.
BECTU will not allow Theatre Management to treat our Scottish members as second class citizens in this way."