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12/08/2009

BECTU Defends Freelance OB Technicians' Pay

The top broadcasting union, BECTU has announced that it has successfully defended pay rates for freelance Outside Broadcast (OB) technicians.
The union said that representations were needed when crewing companies involved in the hire of staff for a BT/CSI contract covering professional football in southern England the Midlands for 2009/10, encountered some unexpected changes in the amount of monies available to pay staff.
The crewing companies had planned to pay staff £260 per day, but BECTU said that it had then become apparent that efforts were underway to force the rate down to £200, a rate which Assistant General Secretary Martin Spence, described as "outrageous".
BECTU approached senior management at BT/CSI and an agreement was reached which maintains the offer of a £260 daily rate.
BECTU is looking to provide more support to freelances working on OBs. A meeting of members in June identified a number of areas where dialogue would benefit both staff and employers in the sector, the union said.
The union has now approached the OB companies' trade association and hopes to hold talks later in the year.
(KMcA/BMcC)
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