New film construction deal accepted

Freelance construction workers on feature films have voted in favour of a new pay and conditions package.

In a postal ballot, which closed on January 5, 76% of voters supported a revised three-year agreement with film industry employers which offers significant increases in rates.

The new agreement covers five construction departments: carpenters, painters, plasterers, riggers and stagehands. In January 2003 most of these workers were on £800 for a 50 hour week. From January 2004 most of them will be on £850 for a 42.5 hour week. In 2005 the basic week will be reduced further to 40 hours.

Talks with BECTU about a new agreement were sparked off by a major pay dispute last year. The row, in spring 2003, almost led to a mass walkout by construction workers on major films including Harry Potter, Troy, and Thunderbirds. A promise by employers to conduct proper negotiations averted the crisis, and several months of talks ensued.

As the ballot result was announced by BECTU, the union's Assistant General Secretary Martin Spence said: "This ballot result is good news for the industry. It recognises and rewards the skills of the industry's construction workers; it tackles the industry's chronic long-hours culture; and it gives us a base to build on for the future."