ROH contractors concern

BECTU members at the Royal Opera House have expressed concern at the treatment of some staff employed by contractors at the theatre.

The Royal Opera House underwent a major reconstruction between 1996 and 2000.

The union is concerned about departments where BECTU organised before the redevelopment, and which have subsequently been handed to contractors.

BECTU believes that if these areas had not been contracted out the management styles that prevail would not have been tolerated by the rest of the permanently employed ROH membership.

BECTU Supervisory Official Willy Donaghy said: "The Treaty of Rome was signed on 25 March 1957 and subsequent Treaties have strengthened the aims contained within the original Treaty to protect all workers within the European Union, particularly in relation to equality, training, and health and safety.

"To mark this historic occasion, BECTU calls on the ROH to work with the union to develop a Code of Practice to which all contract tenders must sign up before any contract for services is awarded.

"We would therefore go some way to ensuring that everyone who works at ROH, irrespective of the employer, can work within an environment within which the ideals contained within the Treaty of Rome can flourish."