|
|
||
|
News
|
||
|
News |
Dateline: 21st December, 2004 West End Sunday Opening Closer An agreement between the Sociey of London Theatre and BECTU, the theatre technicians' trade union, could pave the way for West End shows opening on Sundays. The agreement will now be put to BECTU members in a ballot. The deal offers a pay increase of 5.5%, double time on Sundays, and improvements in maternity, paternity, and adoption leave entitlements. Other concessions include an extension of union bargaining rights to cover freelance workers in sound and automation departments, and the introduction of an employers contribution into the money purchase pension scheme open to theatre staff working under the SOLT agreement. In recent years London theatres have been able to mount Sunday performances, but only by striking one-off local agreements with union branches. Although the performers' unions Equity and Musicians' Union already have blanket agreements to permit Sunday opening, BECTU has not, until now, been offered acceptable reward for members. Full-time staff working on Sundays in BECTU grades will now receive payment for 8 hours at 2T (T being the hourly wage rate), while "performance" staff who tend not to be permanently employed, will be paid for 4 hours at 2T. In return, any SOLT theatre will be able to open on Sundays without any need for local negotiation. Staff will continue to work a basic duty of five days a week, with the difference that one of the five days could be Sunday. The agreement will cover 40 theatres in London, employing nearly 700 BECTU members. The proposals are being put to a vote and the union has recommended acceptance. The postal ballot will close on 14th January. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
|
|
|
|