Industrial Briefing Report 2024

Please find a report of the industrial briefing that was delivered on the 4th September 2024.

Films under 30M

The union received an offer to negotiate a new agreement for feature films below 30 million earlier this year. Pact have proposed having 4 budget bands with slightly different terms for each band. Following several meetings the reps agreed to seek the same terms and condition regardless of budget. Reps held the latest meeting on the 8th September which included reviewing our negotiating position. This will be shared with committee reps for a final evaluation.

TV Drama Guidance

Guidance on the agreement is part complete. We have agreed 6 points which was uploaded to the website and distributed to the reps in December 2023. We still have a handful of issues that are outstanding, which includes 5 points. In addition, reps are invited to contact their official if any part of the agreement is unclear and needs further clarification.

BT/EC Dispute

The union has been in dispute with Pact for over a year regarding the unilateral change they made to the agreement. Our reps discussed a campaign at the beginning of the year which we intended to implement. However, Pact put forward an offer to remove broken turnaround and curb early calls. This proposal was put in writing which we shared with the reps. A meeting followed with the employer’s association but it became clear that simply removing the clauses wouldn’t work - a further meeting is planned in September. In the meantime, it was recommended we should provide guidance for our members and launch a campaign with other stakeholders given that the issue impacts health and safety.   

BBC Studios

During the talks with the BBC we have started to update both agreements, so they are split by budgets rather than whether it’s a series or its continuing drama.

Lots of the changes are now aligned with the TV Drama agreement which makes it easier if workers are moving from BBC studios to independent productions.

The consultation has involved collecting names of members who have or are working on the list of shows we have shared. We now have 50 members involved in the consultation process. Also, BBC studios have agreed as part of the consultation we can visit a few productions to gather feedback.

APA (commercials)

A group of reps met earlier this year and discussed the strategy for the forthcoming negotiations. It was agreed they would focus on pay rather than terms and conditions. Initially the employers refused to put forward a proposal because advertising revenue had slowed down quicker than expected. However, after meeting a number of times, we finally agreed a pay increase applicable from 1stSeptember. The increase has been posted on the website - APA Recommended Terms For Engaging Crew On The Production Of Commercials Effective Sept 2024 - Bectu

 The agreed rates are as follows:

• 5% increase from 1st September 2024

• 4% increase from 1st September 2025

• 3% increase from 1st September 2026

  
  

In addition, we agreed, if inflation reached 8% in year 1 of the agreement or 7% per year in year 2 of the agreement or 6% per year in the third year of the agreement APA would enter a renegotiation about rates. This control measure was primarily put in place so we wouldn’t be trapped in a deal if inflation spiked.

CMA investigation - The Competition and Markets Authority

Two investigations ongoing - OB sport content and broadcasting of television content. The government body will want to see whether there is any overt or tacit collusion to keep wages at certain levels.

At this stage, the CMA believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law. British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films Limited, Hat Trick Productions Limited, ITV PLC, Red Planet Pictures Limited, Sister Pictures Limited and Tiger Aspect Productions Limited are all under investigation. The probe is expected to look at pay and conditions being offered to freelance workers, and whether there is any cartel-like behaviour between broadcasters and independents in areas such as setting the level of wages.

It was anticipated that the CMA would have reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law by now. However, it appears a decision will not be made potentially until next year.

Lives behind the lens

This campaign calls for greater flexible working for parents and carers working as freelancers in the film and TV industry. Part of the campaign aims is to educate and empower members to request flexible working and to help them do this, raising focus on the practicalities of returning to work, types of flexible working and how to job share. Members can register for the training sessions here. The next stage of the campaign is to hopefully engage HODs and employers on how to manage and support flexible working.

Action for Freelancers

It was reported that discussions with broadcasters about a plan to support the freelance workforce called ‘Action for Freelancers’ is underway. The project, which aims to build on the work of the former pan-industry forum, Coalition for Change has now been launched. Importantly Action for Freelancers will have a paid project lead who will be employed to drive this work forward. Part of the work will involve putting together a proposal for an agreement covering freelancers working in the unscripted/factual genres.

Big Autumn Gathering 2024

Members were informed about this year's Big Autumn Gathering will be held on Sat 12th Oct. This year it will include networking, seminars, workshops, socials and much more. Members go free and non-members pay just £15, but can still get 3 months free membership if they join