FAA members' jobs safeguarded

Industry cooperation has prevented a Channel 4 funded production from employing FAA members at below union rates.

In July BECTU official Spencer MacDonald was alerted by Equity and an agent to a leaflet distributed by a PACT member company planning a Channel 4 production.

The leaflet listed a number of different characters, some with small speaking parts, with rates ranging from £10 to £100.

MacDonald immediately told the company that they were in breach of PACT-FAA agreement and they could have been breach of the national minimum wage law.

The company looked into the matter and within a few days replied that they had investigated the situation, could not understand how it had happened, but gave several assurances to BECTU.

First, they confirmed that they would be using the agreement, and second they told the union that they would be hiring FAA members via a reputable artiste agency.

MacDonald said: "I am very pleased that the production company rectified the matter so promptly. But I am also pleased that they stated there had been hardly any response to the flyer. This confirms what BECTU has always maintained: that anyone who wants professionals has to pay the minimum rates."

BECTU's FAA (Film Artistes' Association) Sub-Division represents members working as background artists, walk-ons and doubles in film and television.