Don't sign opt-outs

The way forward for freelance BECTU members is not to sign opt-outs from the Working Time Regulations.

BECTU official Jim Carroll says: "Don't be afraid to say you want to maintain the 11 hour break between calls: you're entitled to this by law and any company employing you that tries to force you to sign an opt-out is breaking the law."

Freelance members working on the Carlton production The Vice have set an example by refusing to sign opt-outs under the new Working Time Regulations.

Carlton Productions originally issued a letter to the cast and crew on 1 October asking them to sign an opt-out and return it. The UK Working Time Regulations were introduced on 1 October. It committed each worker to working "such hours as may be necessary" - the intention appeared to be to allow their scheduling to carry on as though the new laws did not exist.

BECTU advised the crew not to sign the letter, and none did. No-one suffered in any way, and shoot went ahead. Their refusal to opt-out gave the union more power to intervene on occasions when the regulations were infringed: Carroll phoned the company and requested compensatory rest as required by law.

London Production Division Supervisory Official Martin Spence says: "The single key point that members must remember is their entitlement to a minimum 11 hour rest period between warp and call, and a 24 hour period off in each week or 48 hours in each fortnight. We have sent out this advice to every freelance and are organising meetings at film studios to spell it out."