BECTU is the independent trade union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas.
Conference delegates in Bournemouth 2010. Pic: Mark Dimmock
The union represents staff and contract and freelance workers who are based primarily in the United Kingdom.
BECTU provides a wide range of services to its more than 25,000 members, including:
- Negotiating pay, conditions and contracts with employers
- Personal advice and representation for individual members
- Advice and representation on health and safety
- Benefits and services for BECTU members
- A union journal, Stage Screen and Radio published eight times a year.
- A website designed to improve access to the union's advice and support.
The union's annual Freelancers' Fair provides training advice, seminars and workshops. Pic Rod Leon.
Membership is voluntary, and anyone working or seeking employment in the sectors covered by BECTU can join BECTU online.
The union is financed entirely by individual subscriptions from members.
The key aims of the union are to:
- protect jobs
- increase membership
- win new recognition agreements
- improve pay and conditions of service, including pensions.
BECTU Offices
BECTU's head office is in London. Our regional offices are in Birmingham, Cardiff, Salford Quays and Glasgow.
Union democracy
BECTU is a democratic organisation run by representatives elected amongst its membership. Members are grouped into local branches which send representatives to the policy-making annual conference.
Branches themselves are grouped into five Divisions.
The National Executive Committee (NEC), which is made up of members elected by secret ballot every two years, has on-going responsibility for the running of the union.
The union's Rules provide full details of BECTU's structure.
Workshop at BECTU's annual women's conference. Pic: Janina Struk
Equality
BECTU is committed to equality of opportunity for all people at work. The union supports policies that encourage and support cultural diversity and respect.
The union's Equality and Diversity Committee [check] enables women, ethnic minority members and those with disabilities to participate fully in developing policies and initiatives.
The Black Members' Committee aims to increase diversity in the workplace and the union.
The Disabled Members Network provides information and support for disabled members.
Affiliations
BECTU's affiliations include:
Trades Unions Congress - The TUC is the internationally recognised centre for UK unions.
- Union Network International - UNI has more than 900 affiliated unions around the world.
- General Federation of Trade Unions - GFTU is the UK federation for specialist unions.
- Federation of Entertainment Unions - The FEU grouping consists of seven UK unions:
- BECTU
- Equity (representing actors)
- Musicians Union
- NUJ (National Union of Journalists)
- Professional Footballers Association
- Unite Amicus Section
- Writers Guild of Great Britain
- Labour Party - The political party which forms the current UK opposition.
BECTU was founded in 1991 after a series of mergers between separate unions during the 1980s. BECTU's history can be traced back to 1890.
