West End theatre staff claim 7%
BECTU has submitted a 7% pay claim to the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) on behalf of members in the capital's West End.
In addition to the claim for an across-the-board pay rise, and a minimum 5% employer's contribution to pensions, the union is also calling for its current agreement with SOLT to be updated and modernised, so that members can meet the changing needs of commercial West End theatre.
The claim, endorsed by a meeting of union activists from London theatres, has been tabled well in advance of the October 4 anniversary date, when the existing agreement on terms, conditions, job descriptions, and training, expires.
If the employers accept BECTU's proposals, existing outdated job definitions could be revised and union recognition would be extended to include sound, automation, theatre management, call centre staff and freelancers.
BECTU also wants to see an accredited, industry-funded training scheme implemented in the West End that will lead to enhanced skills and improved career progression for all theatre workers.
Negotiators are willing to talk about an agreement to cover regular Sunday performances with requests by employers to work on this day subject to a voluntary agreement with the individual concerned.
Other revisions and improvements that have been submitted include the following:
- Review maternity, paternity and adoption leave provisions.
- Update disciplinary and grievance procedure.
- Revision of equal opportunities, harassment and bullying and health and safety policy.
- Harmonisation of holiday and sickness absence entitlements for full time and performance staff.
- Introduction of a comprehensive trade union facilities agreement.
- Increases in late night transport, Front of House additional payments, lodging allowance and disturbance rates.
- A new redundancy pay agreement.
- Define minimum terms, conditions and rates of pay for wardrobe and box office 'special' contracts.
Union officials are hoping for an early start to negotiations with SOLT, the employers' association for London's commercial theatres.