Film electrician's ballot

A consultative ballot on industrial action is being held amongst BECTU freelance electricians.

Over the past year BECTU has been seeking talks with PACT about the situation facing freelance Lighting Technicians (electricians) in the film industry.

Lighting Technicians are increasingly frustrated about long working hours and static pay.

Despite numerous approaches from the union, PACT has refused to meet.

A recent meeting of BECTU's Lighting Technicians Branch decided to hold a consultative ballot on possible industrial action.

This ballot is now under way, and the result will be known on 4 August 2006.

Depending on the result a second formal ballot may follow, which may lead to industrial action by freelance Lighting Technicians on one or more high-profile feature film shooting in Britain.

BECTU Official Spencer MacDonald said: "Industrial action is not what we want.

"We are simply looking for a sensible dialogue with the employers.

"But their refusal even to sit down with us is unacceptable, and deeply insulting to this dedicated and skilled group of film industry technicians."