Bectu negotiates improvements to agreement for supporting artistes in film and television

Bectu has negotiated updates to its agreement between its Film Artistes Association (FAA) division and The Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact), which come into effect from 1st March 2022 and will apply until the end of 2024.

The agreement aims to improve working conditions for employees and freelancers in film and TV, by providing written regulations that production companies have to uphold in the workplace, in order to create a fairer working environment.

Bectu’s FAA branch surveyed its members about their key concerns with the existing agreement. The updates seek to address issues identified by members and the changes centre around improving the overall experience and welfare of supporting artistes on set as well as improvements to payments. Bectu is pleased to have produced a host of improvements that will assist all supporting artistes.

The agreed amendments include:

• Improved notice of cancellation: calls cancelled after 15.00 the day before, will incur 100% of the negotiate fee, an improvement from 17.30.
• Clarification of the working day prior to the call: the type of working day, Standard Working Day, Continuous Working Day, shift call and any unusual requirements, to be provided in writing beforehand
• Parameters around avoidance of early call allowance fees
• The presence of an intimacy director during rehearsal and shooting
• Drop off at running transport
• Inclusion of e-chits
• Addition of references to bullying and harassment guidelines
• Clarification of use of scans and photogrammetry and fees
• Addition of daily rest clauses: reflecting working time regulations on consecutive day calls, and provision for compensatory rest or payment when infringed

Along with the new 2022 Agreement, the TFL travel rates increases will also be applied from 1 March. The newest ratecard is available here.

The updates to the FAA Agreement ensure that all supporting artistes, including background artists, stand-ins and doubles, are protected at work, and mark a move towards a fairer working environment in the film and TV industry. You can read the FAA Agreement here.

Bectu negotiations officer Emily Collin said: “We’re pleased to have successfully made improvements on many of our members’ priority items with this updated agreement, which benefits supporting artistes across the film and TV sector.

“I’m hugely proud of the negotiating efforts of all of our negotiating reps and the support from the Committee and membership during these talks.

“I encourage all members, agents, and productions to work to these terms as an industry standard and ensure that these requirements are met in the workplace. I look forward to working with productions and agents to implement these new clauses for our members.”