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Representing Lighting Technicians working on UK based Commercials, Feature Films & TV Drama

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BECTU HQ NEWS - 10 April 2025

Bectu responds to British Film and High-End TV CMS Committee report

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*NEW* Feb 25

First Option Safety launch Guidance for

Safe Management of MEWP in TV & Film Production

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*NEW* Feb 25 - First Option Safety launch Guidance for Safe Management of MEWP in TV & Film Production

Broken Turnaround

Are you working too many hours?

Producers should endeavour to give crew members 11 hours’ turnaround between the individual crew member’s wrap to their call (turnaround period).

However, working long hours and irregular work shifts are unfortunately still common practice in film and TV. When crew are scheduled to work days, evenings, nights and/or on a rotating basis we know that turnaround is frequently broken.

Many Lighting Crews have invoked a no TOC ban, but other departments are still being taken advantage of.

Following a recent survey, BECTU has recorded that 40 per cent of crew said they were frequently asked to break turnaround, and a further 34 per cent were sometimes asked to break turnaround. Just 4 per cent said they had not been asked to break turnaround on any of their last three jobs.

Over 90 per cent said breaking turnaround impacted their ability to do their job safely and effectively

Bectu is now calling on the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact), streamers and broadcasters to meet with the union to discuss broken turnaround and the huge occupational health hazards it can create.

More details on the BECTU News Pages - Broken Turnaround

And in this article in Deadline

Protecting Rest Breaks

Stage, Screen & Radio - Winter 24

You must read your Deal Memo, contracts and Production Memos fully.

We have received multiple reports that contracts are being issued under different terms to those that have been verbally agreed at the time of confirmation.

Issues reported include:

Overtime being paid incorrectly
Unpaid Prep & Wrap added to the contract
Multiple Bases
Pro-rata weeks, eg cut week to 4 or fewer days without consultation.
Travel not being paid correctly
Broken Turn Arounds, especially on night shoots & travel, not being paid correctly
Hidden clauses that state the agreement overrides any Guild or Union Agreement.
The right to seek advice from 3rd parties (inc union & lawyers) in the event of dispute.

If you sign these contracts, you are not only signing your rights away, but also the rights of all other sparks who are trying to maintain the agreements that we have all fought so hard to uphold.