Bectu launches rate guidance for unscripted branch

Bectu has published rate guidance for members in unscripted television, an unprecedented move that will act as a reference point for both members and employers in the film and TV industry.

 

Freelancers working in both editorial and production streams of television in roles ranging from production managers to casting directors, need standardised rates that will remove the potential for negotiation and exploitation and contribute to a much fairer working environment. This guidance is different to a traditional rate card, and gives freelancers the confidence to know what rates fellow workers are achieving. This will empower them when negotiating future deals.

The Unscripted TV Union (UTVU) ensured that the rates disclosed were as accurate as possible by surveying thousands of freelancers. The data came from over 3000 responses from The Television Freelancers Taskforce and The Time Project, an initiative that allows users to log their hours worked and anonymously compare their rates with people across the industry working in similar roles. A group of experienced line producers also fed into the findings.

Data analysis presented a baseline rate and an additional £65 per week for every year of experience in the role. This figure corresponded with the average increase of a freelancer’s wage and data found through the taskforce, and is based on a fair working week of 37.5 hours.

Offering a standardised rate for unscripted employees and freelancers will help our members to be paid fairly and help ensure that their skills and experience are valued by employers. We encourage members to sign up to The Time Project to anonymously submit their rate data, so that future rate guides can be increased. Find you rate guidance here to negotiate rates of pay.

Louise Patel, Co-Director of Share My Telly Job says: “The new Bectu rate guidance is a major step towards equality in our industry. We hope and trust that employers will embrace and respect the new rates guidance. Paying people fairly and without argument for the talent they bring to productions creates a sense of value and commitment, it removes bias and is directly linked to a company’s success.”

James Taylor, Chair of the UTVU says: “Pulling together a comprehensive and meaningful rate guide for Unscripted TV roles has in the past been a bit like peeling an onion, the further you get, the more layers of complication are uncovered, and ultimately it makes you want to cry. So to finally have a guide that takes into account the many different job roles, and the differing years of experience people have is a big step. It will give thousands of freelancers confidence when negotiating their rates that they are being compensated fairly, which is ultimately all everyone wants.”