News headlines

Members in BBC Radio Outside Broadcasts will start a programme of industrial action next week in pursuit of a pay and regrading claim.

The deadlock in construction crew negotiations has been broken following talks at ACAS.

Border TV’s campaign to save its flagship programme, Lookaround, prompted 13,000 people to write to Ofcom.

BECTU is leading a campaign to keep BBC daytime series, Doctors, in production at its Birmingham site.

In a consultative ballot 77% of BBC Resources members have voted to accept a new pay and pensions package.

A tribunal case brought by BECTU on behalf of former staff at the Derby Playhouse has succeeded.

The ballot for a National Executive Committee representative for the union’s London Production Division opens in a week’s time.

Union officials have reminded freelances working for the BBC to examine how they are being treated in respect of holiday pay.

BECTU and the NUJ are campaigning against plans to move significant parts of the BBC World Service overseas.

BECTU has criticised BBC executives who opted to take their annual bonuses in a year when some 2000 staff are losing their jobs.

BECTU has criticised the BBC for pocketing a £184m Pension Fund windfall whilst forcing up members contributions.

BECTU members in Siemens SIS working on BBC contracts are being balloted on industrial action in response to a 2.15% pay offer.

Red Bee Media members are being recommended to reject a two year pay offer in a consultative ballot.

Details of BECTU’s 2008 London Production Division Annual Conference have been announced.

FT2 (Film and Television Training) starts recruitment today (30 June 2008) for a new apprenticeship scheme.

BECTU’s London Freelances’ Fair 2008 has been dubbed “the best ever” by some of those attending the event.

BECTU has submitted its response to Ofcom’s second Public Service Broadcasting review.

A two-year agreement at ITN, which has been backed by members, has headed off a dispute with the company.

BECTU members employed by BBC Resources are taking part in a consultative ballot on future rights on pay and pensions.

BECTU is lending its support to the Unite Against Facism demonstration in Central London on Saturday 21 June 2008.

A consultative ballot on a 4.5% pay offer for Arqiva members is underway.

BECTU’s bid to secure recognition for freelances working on EastEnders is nearing a key stage.

Projectionist members at Odeon Cinemas have voted overwhelmingly to reject a proposed realignment of the payroll system.

Registration for BECTU’s third London Freelances’ Fair, to be held at BAFTA on Friday 27 June 2008, is now open.

BECTU has had its first, union-wide discussion about its potential contribution to eco-friendly policy.

Union members at Associated Press and Television News in Camden, London, have unanimously rejected a below inflation pay offer.

BECTU played its part in the defence of existing abortion rights by supporting last night’s rally at the Houses of Parliament.

BECTU has accused ITV of failing to deliver on its 5-year plan after 89 job losses were announced yesterday in Leeds and Manchester.

Long running pay talks at the National Theatre have resulted in a significant boost for the lower paid.

BBC Resources members are to be balloted on revised management proposals on their future.

The Federation of Entertainment Unions is seeking to appoint a part-time project co-ordinator based in Cardiff.

News this week that the Arts Council has settled a legal challenge to its authority has revived hopes that the theatre will reopen.

Delegates to BECTU’s Annual Conference in Liverpool on 9 May voted down a proposal to review the union’s affiliation to the Labour Party.

BECTU has increased to £5 million the public liability insurance cover (PLI) available to freelance members.

BECTU is challenging an attempt by the BBC to change the way freelance workers present their invoices.

The government has given Creative and Cultural Skills the go-ahead to build a new National Skills Academy for theatre.

The Theatrical Management Association, the employers’ body for regional theatre, has approved a 3.5% increase for 2008/9.

BECTU has launched a campaign to keep production of the popular BBC drama series, Casualty, in Bristol.

The Hair and Make-Up Branch has published its recommended rates for work on the range of broadcast and film output.

Discussions at ITN over the company’s proposals to make £300,000 worth of savings from staff benefits could soon be put into dispute.

Key research by Skillset designed to identify current skills needs is now underway. The deadline for replies is Friday 30 May.

BECTU has welcomed the decision by the Low Pay Commission to announce an increase in the national minimum wage.

The campaign by Border TV staff to save their much-loved local news programme arrives in London today.

BECTU members working in regional theatres have voted to accept a 3.5% increase for 2008/9.

BECTU has today urged Ofcom to listen to all stakeholders affected by the regulator’s second review into public service broadcasting.

Filmscan 2008, the directory for the film and television industry in Ireland, is now available with new and updated professional listings.

Pinewood Studios will host a presentation of short films on Tuesday 29 April.

BECTU is strongly critical of ITV’s revised proposal for Regional News which is published today.

A press report has suggested that UK freelance directors have no collective voice and that a “new” organisation intends to fill the gap.

Staff at the Tameside Hippodrome are caught in the crossfire in an argument over redundancy payments.

BECTU members working as technicians (projectionists) in Odeon Cinemas have gone into dispute with the company.

Members working for BBC TV Outside Broadcasts (OBs) have voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal on the transfer of their employment.

Members of BECTU have voted to accept the agreement in principle reached with the BBC in January.

BECTU has sought an urgent meeting with the BBC following the loss of personal data for staff assigned to work on the Olympics in Beijing.

BECTU members working with electricity are alerted to the soon-to-be published British Standards Institute draft new code of practice.

BBC and BBC Worldwide members should now be in receipt of consultative ballot forms linked to critical talks with the BBC.

The Competition Commission’s decision to allow Macquarie to buy National Grid Wireless paves the way for significant change.

BECTU has reached a new deal for theatre technicians at the National Theatre which provides for Sunday working.

BECTU has assured members that no agreement has been reached over a sale of the BBC’s TV facilities subsidiary.

Tony Lennon, BECTU’s current President, has been elected to serve a further term from 2008-2010.

Staff at the Midlands Arts Centre (mac) in Birmingham are appealing for support for their petition to retain their jobs.

Staff at the London International Film School have been awarded an annual pay increase of 4.8% following union negotiations there.

This week the Derby Playhouse has been dealt a further blow to its chances of survival.

BECTU officials are to brief the union’s parliamentary group on the current threat to ITV regional news on 26 March.

Members at Odeon have voted by an overwhelmingly majority to reject the company’s proposed pay review for 2008.

Staff employed at the Midlands Arts Centre (mac) in Birmingham are to launch a campaign to save their jobs.

BECTU has warned that 5,000 new training opportunities in the cultural industries should not undermine existing jobs.

The BBC cancelled a meeting with union representatives last week because it had no firm proposal on the Resources sale to table.

BECTU’s president has accused Ofcom of treachery over its plans for the sale of spectrum set to be freed up by digital switchover.

Tameside Hippodrome staff face an anxious few weeks as Live Nation and the local Council lock horns over the theatre’s future.

The Exeter Northcott and the Bristol Old Vic are just two theatres which came out winners in the recent battle over arts funding.

Birds Eye View, the women filmmakers’ organisation, has announced a fantastic programme for their London Festival from 6-14 March.

BBC Scotland is unlikely to pursue compulsory redundancies after a strong response from staff to the recent call for volunteers.

The Derby Playhouse closed its doors for the second time in as many months on Saturday 2 February.

BECTU met with JCI management this week in an attempt to resolve pay issues affecting new staff.

BECTU has today welcomed the government’s decision to order BSkyB to sell part of its 17.9% shareholding in ITV plc.

The Federation of Entertainment Unions is advertising to fill a vacancy for a secretary/co-ordinator.

Following all night talks the BBC and the joint unions have reached an agreement in principle over the current dispute.

Contrary to recent reports BECTU has not reached agreement with the National Theatre over Sunday performances.

BECTU has welcomed the news that the Directors Guild of America has signed a deal with US studios and producers.

The Technicolor film laboratory will be moving to a new purpose built facility on the Pinewood Studios site.

Negotiators for BECTU’s Scottish Freelance Branch have registered a failure to agree in their pay talks with BBC Scotland.

Nominations for the election of BECTU President and NEC representatives for the 2008-2010 term of office are now open.

Liverpool, this year’s City of Culture, is to host BECTU’s 2008 Conference on Friday and Saturday 9-10 May.

Johnson Controls has gone back on a pay deal by saying only staff with a least one year’s service will benefit.

BECTU has backed an industry letter to the Culture Minister expressing “grave concerns” over Arts Council theatre funding cuts.

BECTU has condemned So Television for advertising jobs that break the minimum wage law by paying extras nothing for their work.

Despite an extra £50m available for the arts, Arts Council England has announced funding proposals that could force many theatres to close.

A union threat of industrial action over job cuts at the BBC has been suspended to allow further talks.

BECTU members have been staggered to learn that an employee at the Lowry Centre in Manchester is being paid £310,000.

Members have voted overwhelmingly to accept ITV’s 2008-9 pay deal of 4.2% plus a number of improvements to terms and conditions.

BECTU has written to Culture Secretary James Purnell to support the BBC’s proposals for three new broadband channels.

STV has announced 45 people are facing redundancy with a further 15 at risk if Setanta Sport does not renew its contract with STV in May.

Staff were told last week that 99 jobs would be axed from BBC Scotland, in the first year of the ‘Creating Futures’ cuts.

Chief Executive Karen Hebden has asked everyone “who cares about live theatre” to support the campaign to save Derby’s theatre.

In new twist in the fate for the Derby Playhouse, the theatre has now re-opened two weeks before Christmas with a skeleton staff.

Staff working at Glyndebourne have secured an impressive two-year 8% pay rise, which will run from 1 January 2008 to December 2009.

Ballot papers went out on 4 December to all members working at the BBC asking them to vote for strike action in the new year.

BECTU kicked off a recognition campaign last month for freelance members working on EastEnders, the BBC’s flagship drama.

BECTU’s Cardiff office is being renovated, so members should be warned that reduced facilities are available until 13 December.

Fifty dedicated female BECTU members gathered at Friend’s House near Euston for an inspiring two-day conference last weekend.

Four weeks before Christmas 60 staff at Derby Playhouse have been told the theatre is in administration and they no longer have jobs.

BECTU is hosting a unique one-day learning experience for union learning reps (ULRs) onboard a London barge.

BECTU members are invited to an evening with film director Mike Newell on 5 December at the University of Hertfordshire.

BBC unions have voted unanimously to ballot for national strike action, in protest at compulsory redundancies and other changes.

Unions have rallied across BBC sites to protest against proposed job cuts that could see the workforce reduced by 12%.

Welsh National Opera members have voted by 65% to accept a 3.8% pay increase as part of a three year package.

BECTU is running HD Effect, an open forum masterclass on high definition production, in early December.

Johnson Controls tell staff the full 4% pay increase agreed last month only applies to employees with more than 12 months’ service.

Meridian BECTU and NUJ members leafleted Fareham Shopping Centre today to highlight ITV’s threat to reduce regional news output.

Welsh National Opera members are being balloted on an improved 3.8% pay increase as part of a three year package.

Cineworld projection members have voted by over 85% to accept a 3.9% pay increase and a 0.5% uplift to the annual bonus.

BECTU West End Theatre members have voted by three to one to accept a 5% increase on all minimum rates of pay.

Martin Spence has been re-elected Assistant General Secretary for the Laboratories, London Production and Regional Production Divisions.

Cineworld's pay offer ballot has been extended again to 29 October due to the late arrival of some voting papers to members.

BECTU has signed a voluntary freelance recognition agreement with BBC Resources Ltd, giving the union collective bargaining rights.

Places on BECTU's North West Fair seminars and workshops, opening in two weeks time, are filling rapidly.

Union negotiators have agreed a framework for negotiations over 2,500 BBC redundancies, with an emphasis on redeployment.

The threat of industrial action ballots being run today has been lifted following the BBC suspending its voluntary redundancy trawl.

BECTU has accused ITV of misleading the public when it says heads will not roll as a result of Deloitte's phone-in investigation.

Unions have called on the BBC to halt a mass redundancy exercise and enter negotiations, or face industrial action.

Officials from BECTU, NUJ and Unite are due to brief BBC union representatives on substantial cuts at the Corporation.

The ballot on Cineworld's pay offer has been further extended to 26 October due to the industrial action at the Post Office.

BECTU has given a cautious welcome to the Government's increase in arts funding by £50m between 2008-2011.

A rally is being held at the House of Commons on 18 October to promote the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill.

West End theatre owners and producers have taken the unusual decision to write to staff urging them to accept this year's pay offer.

45 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion opposing ITV's plans to "cut regional news budgets in half".

SOLT has offered a 5% increase on all minimum rates of pay covering London's West End Theatres.

The ballot deadline on Cineworld's pay offer has been extended to 19 October due to the CWU postal workers' strike action.

BECTU welcomes the "Queengate" Wyatt Report but is critical of BBC "double standards" by allowing the BBC1 Controller to resign.

Cineworld members are being offered a RPI pay offer which union negotiators are recommending is accepted.

BECTU has welcomed Ofcom's critical report on children's television in the UK.

Registration is now open for BECTU�s North West Fair in Manchester on 8-9 November.

BECTU has negotiated with PACT a 5.5% rates rise for film artistes from November.

BECTU is supporting Amnesty International's Burma demonstration in London on Saturday 6 October.

BECTU has welcomed the Competition Commission's provisional ruling that BSkyB's 17.9% stake in ITV restricts competition.

This year's BECTU Annual Women's Conference is to be held over two days in November at London's Friends Meeting House.

BECTU is referring Ofcom to the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights for a perceived failure to meet its diversity obligations.

BECTU's next Annual Conference will be following a new format in May 2008 at Liverpool.

An Assistant General Secretary election is to be held in the Laboratories, London Production and Regional Production Divisions.

BECTU is accusing the BBC of targeting junior staff members, following the sacking of a radio producer member.

BECTU is supporting a proposed scheme to avoid a threat to the use of animals in television, film and the stage.

BECTU has two National Official vacancies based at its South West London head office.

The 2007 pay award at the Cineworld cinema chain may be delayed past its usual October deadline.

BECTU has poured scorn on the news of ITV Chief Executive Michael Grade's £6m shares grant.

BECTU and the NUJ have signed a recognition deal with Plymouth-based ITV Westcountry.

BECTU is supporting the Campaign to End Child Poverty Rally to be held in London on 7 November.

BECTU has condemned ITV's plan to cut its regional news services from 17 flagship programmes to a "nine region structure".

The TUC Commission on Vulnerable Employment wants to hear from members who are challenging exploitation at work.

BECTU's North West Fair will be running a series of seminars and workshops for those working in the region's media industry.

The second strike day at Scotland's Cumbernauld Theatre has been suspended after almost nine hours of talks at ACAS.

BECTU is supporting the campaign to save Storyville, the BBC's acclaimed documentary strand faced with an alleged 60% budget cut.

Strike action at Scotland's Cumbernauld Theatre has been suspended following agreement to hold talks at ACAS.

A 2.6% pay offer at the Welsh National Opera and Cardiff Theatrical Services has been rejected by BECTU members.

Negotiations have opened on the 2007 pay claim covering BECTU members in the Cineworld cinema chain.

BECTU has reached a new freelance agreement with PACT covering television factual programmes after two years of negotiations.

Odeon members have voted in a ballot to accept a third set of sound and projection harmonisation proposals.

Scotland's Cumbernauld Theatre is to be hit by a series of stoppages from this Friday in protest at planned job and pay cuts.

Advertisements have been published today inviting bids for the BBC's TV facilities subsidiary.

BECTU members in Siemens working on BBC contracts have voted by 95% to accept an improved pay offer.

Union members are being asked to sign an online petition which condemns the sacking of staff in BBC Children's TV.

Odeon management have made a move to address members concerns on rejected sound and projection harmonisation proposals.

BBC Resources members have voted to accept a pay offer similar to that recently accepted by members in the rest of the BBC.

BECTU members at Brixton's Ritzy Cinema have voted to accept an improved pay offer following two days of industrial action.

An improved pay offer has been put to Siemens staff working on BBC contracts after members voted to take industrial action.

BECTU has attacked broadcasters for feigning surprise about revelations of viewer deception over the past few days.

An industrial action ballot at TV playout centre Red Bee has been suspended following guarantees about future negotiations.

BECTU is calling for tighter controls and better training for television employees following recent revelations of viewer deception.

The results of an Odeon questionnaire by BECTU members have been presented to the cinema chain management.

A 24-hour strike over compulsory redundancies is being mounted by members in BBC Children’s TV.

BBC Resources members are bring balloted on a pay offer "almost identical" to that recently accepted by members in the rest of the BBC.

The latest Move On Up has been praised as "an imaginative way for people to develop their careers" by the TUC.

BECTU is backing a campaign launched by solicitors Thompsons to achieve justice for English and Welsh families affected by asbestos.

Union members across the BBC have voted to accept the Corporation pay offer covering 2007-2009 in a ballot.

BECTU has expressed concern over press reports that Virgin Media is the target of a private equity buyout.

Siemens staff working on BBC contracts have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in response to a below-inflation pay offer.

Almost 60% of Odeon cinema members have rejected the second sound and projection harmonisation proposals in a ballot.

BECTU has signed a joint letter to Gordon Brown on the consequences of taking funds from the arts to pay for the Olympics.

Members affected by unilateral changes in rotas at the West London TV playout centre have begun an industrial action ballot.

BECTU members at Brixton's Ritzy Cinema meet next week to vote on an improved pay offer following two days of industrial action.

George Alagiah and Sir Trevor McDonald are to open the first Move On Up in News event on 21 September at the TUC in London.

Changes have been made to this year's ITV staff bonus scheme to address problems highlighted by BECTU.

Move On Up Film and Television, spearheaded by BECTU, takes place on Monday 18 June at the TUC in Central London.

Unions have won an improved pay offer from the BBC after threatening to strike over the Corporation's opening bid in pay talks.

Strike action at Brixton's Ritzy Cinema has been suspended following an offer to reopen pay talks by owners City Screen.

Luke Crawley has been elected BECTU's new Assistant General Secretary in a members' ballot.

Film construction crews have narrowly voted by 54% to 46% to accept a one-year pay offer from employers.

Two places remain on the BECTU and Stage Electrics PASMA Access Tower Training course in Bristol on Tuesday 12 June.

Streatham MP Keith Hill has asked Brixton Ritzy Cinema to reopen negotiations in an attempt to resolve a pay dispute.

Unions have warned the BBC that a strike ballot will be run among thousands of members unless a pay offer is improved.

BECTU Odeon cinema members are to be balloted on improved sound and projection harmonisation proposals.

The next Brixton Ritzy cinema stoppage has been cancelled because of a new film whose production team support the dispute.

Brixton Ritzy cinema members are striking today for a second time in a dispute over low pay.

Union members in the BBC Children's Education Unit have voted to ballot for strike action over job cuts in the department.

BECTU members in regional theatres have voted by a three to one majority to accept the 2007 pay offer from the TMA.

BECTU is seeking an Acting Editor for four issues of the union's magazine Stage Screen & Radio.

Registrations are being invited for BECTU's second Freelances' Fair to be held at BAFTA in June.

Unions have rejected a below inflation pay offer from the BBC at a meeting with Corporation management.

Odeon members have been congratulated on recruitment leading up to their rejection of management harmonisation proposals.

BECTU Political Fund contributors are to be balloted in the election for Labour's Deputy Leader.

BECTU members at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton have given notice to strike over a pay dispute.

A threat of industrial action over the privatisation of BBC Resources Ltd has been lifted to allow talks on staff guarantees.

Odeon members have rejected sound and projection harmonisation proposals.

BECTU is calling for improvements in both the structure and administration of the new ITV staff bonus scheme.

BECTU and ITV have signed a Recognition Agreement covering staff at the BACC, the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre.

Royal Opera House members have voted to accept a 3.5% pay increase effective from April.

BECTU has expressed concern that ITV is again being linked with the high cost of hiring a celebrity front person.

Balloting has opened to fill the vacant BECTU Assistant General Secretary position.

Regional theatre members are to vote on an improved pay and conditions offer.

BECTU's links with the Labour Party have again been confirmed at the union's 2007 Annual Conference.

Preparations are underway for the first BECTU Theatre Festival on 25 May 2007.

Quality content and new programme forms have been called for at BECTU's digital distribution evening.

BECTU has won collective bargaining rights for Royal Shakespeare Company stage, front of house and hire wardrobe departments.

BECTU has a vacancy for a part-time project worker recruiting and supporting Union Learning Reps in the North.

Freelance BECTU members are reminded their public liability insurance will be renewed at the end of April.

Over 3,000 have signed the unions' petition against the BBC's proposed nursery closures.

BECTU is holding its first Theatre Festival at the Actors Centre on 25 May 2007.

BECTU has welcomed the appointment of Sir Michael Lyons as the new BBC Trust Chair.

BECTU is 'extremely disappointed' with redundancy proposals following the announcement of a six-year contact with ITV.

BECTU has given a cautious welcome to the news that Arqiva has acquired National Grid Wireless for £2.5bn.

After a year and a half of campaigning, a ballot in which RSC workers can vote for union recognition is finally underway.

Royal Opera House members have voted by 89% to accept changes to their pension scheme.

Members in BBC London TV News Production Facilities (NPF) have voted by a narrow margin to accept revised proposals for new rotas.

BECTU members at the Royal Opera House have expressed concern at the treatment of some staff employed by contractors at the theatre.

BECTU's Bristol Week, which takes place in the next few days, includes activities targetted at ITV members.

Legal changes could put the use of residential properties for film and TV productions in peril.

Odeon cinema members have expressed shock at proposals to 'harmonise' terms and conditions.

Union members across the entertainment industry are being urged to lobby MPs on the future of wireless devices.

The New Media and Future Distribution Opportunities event has been organised by the Writers, Producers and Directors Branch.

Industrial action at Soho Images is over following an overwhelming vote to accept management proposals.

The fourth Move On Up event on 18 June includes BBC Director General Mark Thompson and PACT Chief Executive John McVay.

BECTU is running a series of events in Bristol from 21-23 March, culminating in an Open Day on Friday 23rd.

An election is to be held to fill the vacant BECTU Assistant General Secretary post.

BECTU is supporting the Public Services Not Private Profit joint union campaign to defend public services against privatisation.

BECTU has pledged to defend members at the English National Opera, after dozens of redundancies were announced.

BECTU and the NUJ have agreed to suspend industrial action which was set to bring chaos to BBC News next week.

BECTU, the Musicians Union and Equity are running an on-line petition opposing Ofcom's plans for the UK's analogue television spectrum.

BECTU has been threatened with legal action by the BBC for using an image of Pudsey Bear in a childcare campaign.

BECTU's members in the Royal Opera House are voting in a consultative ballot on changes to their final-salary pension scheme.

BECTU members in BBC News are set to take strike action in two disputes over value-for-money savings.

Proposals for BECTU's 2007 Annual Conference in Bournemouth have been issued.

Unions are organising a fight against the closure of BBC workplace nurseries across the UK.

BECTU has welcomed the publication of industry guidelines on work experience placements in the media.

Gerry Morrissey has been elected as BECTU's new General Secretary it was announced today.

BECTU members at Technicolor Film Laboratory have voted to accept the company's back-dated pay offer of 3.5%.

ITV have confirmed BECTU recognition for the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC).

BECTU, Amicus, and NUJ, have tabled concessions over pension scheme changes in a bid to resolve a looming dispute.

Fifteen job cuts have been proposed at Emap's Downtown Radio in Northern Ireland.

The union's website was unreachable for several hours on January 31 after hackers struck its hosting company.

BECTU members have voted overwhelmingly to accept ITN's revised pension proposals.

BECTU and Equity are running a joint campaign to ban up-front fees charged by agents to background artists.

BECTU has called for Channel Four and the producers of Big Brother to take a stand against racist bullying on the show.

BECTU has condemned the government for setting a six-year formula for the BBC licence fee that will fall below inflation.

Writer and producer Tudor Gates, a leading lay member of BECTU, has died at home in Kent.

Members in BBC TV News could take strike action for the second time in three months, this time over job cuts.

Industrial action planned at ITN has been suspended as a result of significant improvements to pension scheme proposals.

Union members at news provider ITN are poised for two days of strike action in defence of pension benefits.