West End Theatres deal accepted

BECTU members in London's theatreland have voted to accept an improved pay and conditions offer in a postal ballot.

Over 80% of members who work in theatres belonging to the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) were in favour of a package including a 5.5% pay increase, which will pave the way for Sunday performances in the West End.

The pay increase, covering all grades within the union's collective agreement with SOLT, is backdated to October 2004, and includes the introduction of pension contributions from employers, and improvements to sickness, holiday, and maternity rights.

For the first time, theatre staff will be able to volunteer for Sunday performances, and will be guaranteed a minimum turn of duty to compensate for working on a day when London's theatres have traditionally remained dark.

Under the new agreement with SOLT, BECTU will be entitled to bargain on behalf of call centre workers, sound and automation staff, and theatre management.

Members voted to accept the agreement only after earlier attempts to settle a pay claim had been rejected in a previous ballot.

BECTU Supervisory Official Willy Donaghy said "The improvements negotiated are a testament to the solidarity of our members in the West End, and a significant step forward in BECTU's ongoing campaign to eradicate low pay throughout the UK theatre industry.

"We now have a more modern agreement which has the potential to benefit our members financially and in terms of quality time off work, which also provides a better platform from which to seek further improvements in the future."