New News/Factual Network

BECTU's News/Factual Network has been established for freelance members in London and the South East.

The Network has been formed by the union's London Production Division to provide a point of contact for freelance members who work in news and factual production, but who may belong to different BECTU Branches.

Nearly 100 members have signed up for the Network so far from the Camera, Sound, Editing and Research/PA departments.

At the first meeting on 14 July discussion ranged over hours of work; rates of pay; crewing levels in both production and post-production; health and safety; the chronic vulnerability of freelances; and ways and means for the union to establish a more effective presence in this whole area.

As a result of the meeting there are plans to organise a high-profile Conference or Seminar later in the year. In addition a questionnaire is being distributed on pay and working conditions. And members are being asked to feed back information on health and safety issues, especially incidents of back pain and back injuries among news cameramen/women, and eyestrain or headaches among researchers and editors who spend long hours in front of computer screens.

Any freelance BECTU members who want to join the Network, receive the questionnaire, or provide information on safety issues in news/factual programmes, should contact Martin Spence at BECTU Head Office (tel: 0171 437 8506; email: [email protected]).