BECTU is the UK's media and entertainment trade union and, from 1 January 2017, a sector of Prospect; sectors covered include broadcasting, cinema, film, digital media, independent production, leisure, IT and telecoms, theatre and the arts.
The union represents staff, contract and freelance workers who are based primarily in the United Kingdom.
BECTU provides a wide range of services to its circa 40,000 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
- Training support and courses
- Networking events and career development opportunities
- Union journal, Stage Screen and Radio, published four times a year.
- Website including members only area.
Membership is voluntary, and anyone working or seeking employment in the sectors covered by BECTU can join the union online.
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. 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 are grouped into six divisions.
The Sector Executive Committee (SEC), which is made up of members elected by secret ballot every two years, has an on-going responsibility for the running of the BECTU sector. The sector is also represented on Prospect's National Executive Committee. View the union's rules.
BECTU is committed to equality of opportunity for all people at work. The union supports policies that encourage and support cultural diversity and respect.
Equality
The union's Equality and Diversity Committee is a focal point for the union's efforts to encourage more women 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 umbrella organisation for the UK's 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
- Writers Guild of Great Britain
- Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund, a leading industry charity.
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.
Last page update 26 February 2017. Query? Contact us.
