London Studios conditions ballot

London Studios members are being balloted on revised terms and conditions proposals.

After months of negotiation between between BECTU, Amicus and management at The London Studios (TLS), a final version of proposed new terms and conditions has been sent to members for acceptance or rejection.

The proposals make changes to the working arrangements of staff currently employed on annualised contracts at TLS, which is the majority of BECTU members at the studios.

However, the proposals are far from straightforward and affect different people in different ways and for that reason the local joint unions shop stewards decided not to make a recommendation as to how members should vote in the consultative ballot.

BECTU national official Nigel Mason states: "These proposed new terms and conditions could have a significant impact on the working lives of most of our members at the studios.

"We strongly urge those involved in the ballot to read all the proposals carefully and to make sure they vote".

The ballot closes at 1200 on Wednesday 19 April 2006.

TLS want to introduce the new terms and conditions from 3 July 2006, and should they be accepted the staff affected by the changes would receive a 2.5% salary increase.

The London Studios are located on the Southbank and are one of ITV's major production centres as well as hosting programmes from other major broadcasters such as the BBC, Channel 4 and Five.