ITV reveals plans for tech ops

ITV plc's long promised review of technical operator terms and conditions has at last produced proposals from the company.

The review was part of the terms of settlement of the BECTU pay dispute in April this year.

Tech ops at the Anglia, Central, Granada, Meridian, Yorkshire and Tyne Tees sites are all receiving briefings in November/December on the plans.

The company is proposing five levels of tech op defined by specific requirements at each level. Grades 1-3 would be reached through recognition of the appropriate performance levels at annual review; whilst grades 4 and 5 would be promotion opportunities subject to vacancies.

The company's proposals raise a great many questions, not least about pay, correct grading and the extent of opportunties for promotion.

BECTU is inviting its representatives, and especially our tech op members, to share their thoughts with us and each other on the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals.

Members have been asked to use www.bectuforum.org.uk to comment on the proposals.

Feedback left on the forum will inform the union's stance in negotiations with the company which BECTU believes must take place at national rather than company level.

"The technical operator grade has become increasingly important to operations over the past 10 years spanning as it does staff newer to broadcasting through to those with years of experience and marked specialisms in disciplines such as camera, lighting, sound, directing and vision mixing" explained BECTU official Sharon Elliott.

"Because of the way this role has developed and given the previous existence of separate companies, there are now substantial differences in pay amongst this group across the company which really need to be put right. Tech ops, and especially those newer to the industry, have long argued for more value to be attached to the work they do and for better opportunties for development.

"We are looking to work with the company to bring an end to the pay inequality which exists and to produce a system which offers reward and security to technical operators at all levels". Sharon Elliott concluded.