BBC faces holiday challenge

BECTU has accused the BBC of ignoring new holiday rights for freelancers.

The union has complained that many freelance staff employed by the BBC are being denied paid holidays which they are legally entitled to.

Since new labour laws came into force on October 25th, all workers begin to clock up the right to paid holidays from the moment they start with an employer.

Prior to the change in law, the qualifying period for holiday rights had been 13 weeks of employment, ruling out many freelancers who typically have engagements lasting only a few days or weeks.

BECTU led the way in the fight for freelancers' rights, and won a legal case against the UK goverment on the grounds that the 13 week period conflicted with the European Working Time Directive.

Since the new rights came into force many employers, including the BBC, have tried to avoid giving freelancers paid holidays.

Internal BBC guidance suggests that it will not recognise freelances with multiple employers as eligible for holiday pay. A top-level meeting between senior officials from BECTU and the BBC, together with their legal advisors, is now being arranged.

However, BECTU has made it clear that if the situation is not resolved, the union intends to support mass applications to the Employment Tribunal on behalf of freelance members who are denied their new holiday rights.

In the meantime freelance members who work for the BBC, and have problems getting holiday pay, should get in touch with the union.

Members in London and the South-East should ring Head Office and ask for London Production Division. Members elsewhere should contact their appropriate regional office. Telephone numbers