Commercials talks reopen

Stalled negotiations with UK commercials employers have reopened in an attempt to reach a new agreement.

A small union team will meet with representatives from the Advertising Film and Video Producers Association (AFVPA) tomorrow (22 December) to discuss a new pay and conditions agreement. Further meetings are planned for January, and the end of the month has been agreed as a deadline for reaching a new agreement.

The move follows previous talks on a proposed new three-year agreement, to cover UK film and television commercials production, collapsing earlier this year.

BECTU Assistant General Secretary Marilyn Goodman said: "BECTU is committed to reaching a new agreement with the AFVPA. We believe they have moved their position on some major points."

The current AFVPA agreement remains in force, and BECTU members in the area are being reminded of the importance of continuing to work strictly to the agreement and observing the 11 hour break contained in the Working Time Regulations.