If you have recently completed a course of education or training and are entering the media and entertainment industry, you can join BECTU as a new entrant at a special rate.
Learning about BECTU at the Freelancers' Fair. Pic: Rod Leon
This offer is only available to those who are joining the union for the first time and who join within a year of completing their education or training. Such new entrants, who are working freelance, are eligible to join BECTU as a full member for one year at £60. This is half the standard joining fee and includes all services including public liability insurance cover up to the 1 May following the joining date.
How can BECTU help you? Download BECTU's New Entrant DVD or view on YouTube.
The New Entrant application form is available to download from this page; alternatively you can request a form by post.
Working to counter exploitation
BECTU members were instrumental in the 2005 TV Wrap campaign which highlighted the exploitation - and particularly of young people -working in television production. The campaign highlighted the extent to which a significant number of employers were abusing work experience.
The TV Wrap campaign succeeded in putting pressure on the industry to rethink its attitude to prolonged periods of unpaid work. As a result, a new set of guidelines, the Work Experience Guidelines, was introduced in 2007 to protect people from exploitation. This document is also available to download from this page.
However, whilst TV Wrap was critical in exposing poor industry practice, some employers continue to exploit new entrants. In October 2009 BECTU met with representatives from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (the HMRC is the body responsible for ensuring that employers comply with the law on the National Minimum Wage) to highlight the need for more effective measures to tackle the long hours/no pay culture which new entrants face. BECTU will continue to work with the relevant agencies on this issue.
