About

BECTU is the independent union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas.

The union represents permanently employed, contract and freelance workers who are primarily based in the United Kingdom.

BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union) offers a wide range of services to its more than 26,500 members, including:

• Negotiating pay, conditions, safety and contracts with employers.
• Personal advice and representation of individual members.
• Services and benefits for BECTU members.
• Publishing Stage Screen and Radio magazine ten times a year.

Membership is voluntary, and anyone working or seeking employment in the sectors covered by BECTU can apply for membership.

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's Head Office is situated in South West London, and is supported by a number of regional offices.

BECTU is a democratic organisation run by delegates 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), consisting 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.

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 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.

BECTU's affiliations include:

• Trades Union 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 formed the current UK government.

BECTU was founded in 1991 after a series of mergers between separate unions during the 1980s, the history of which can be traced back to 1890.