Bectu secures pay deal for members at Al Jazeera
Bectu has secured a 4.5% pay increase for 2022 and a further 4.5% for 2023 for its members at Al Jazeera following a pay dispute with the broadcaster.
Members at Al Jazeera last received a pay rise in 2020. After months of negotiations, Al Jazeera previously offered a 4.5% increase limited to 2022 pay.
Bectu rejected this offer, and discussions facilitated by Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) failed to find an acceptable settlement.
Following no movement from the company, Bectu members working at Al Jazeera voted overwhelmingly last month in favour of industrial action and the union served notice of a programme of industrial action.
Following further dialogue with Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Al Jazeera offered a much-improved deal, which was this week unanimously accepted by Bectu members via consultative ballot.
The union and Al Jazeera have now agreed a two-year deal that carries a pay increase of 4.5% for both 2022 and 2023. The increase will be applied to London broadcast centre permanent staff and extended to permanent Al Jazeera staff based in London.
After three years without a pay rise and no previous commitment of an increase that would extend to 2023, this pay deal is a significant win for members.
The pay increase of 4.5% for 2022:
- Will be backdated to 1 January 2022
- All overtime worked from 1 January 2002 will be backdated to reflect the new salary
- The new salary will be paid to all eligible staff in November 2022 payroll
- The increase is to be applied to London broadcast centre permanent staff and extended to permanent Al Jazeera staff based in London
- This will be extended to employees who joined on or before 31 December 2021
- All staff impacted will receive salary increase letters to this effect
The pay increase of 4.5% for 2023:
- Will be applied to London broadcast centre permanent staff and extended to permanent Al Jazeera staff based in London
- This will be extended to employees who joined on or before 31 December 2022
- The new 2023 salary increase to be implemented in January 2023 payroll
- All staff impacted will receive salary increase letters to this effect
Bectu also secured a commitment from Al Jazeera to work with the union to improve the negotiation environment and ensure that staff will in future not have to wait so long for a pay increase.
Bectu National Secretary Noel McClean said:
“After almost three years of no pay increase, we are thrilled to have secured this much improved offer for our members and to have achieved this result without our members losing a single penny through strike action.
“Extending the increase into next year gives our members certainty and security at a time when that matters more than ever.
“It’s also encouraging to have a commitment from Al Jazeera to improve the negotiation process and we look forward to working with them to continue to deliver for our members.
“Throughout the dispute, our members were determined in their efforts to achieve a fair pay deal for both 2022 and 2023. Their continued engagement and united front has been critical to this success.”
Do you have a friend or colleague who works in broadcasting?
Bectu represents workers in television and film, in London and across the country.
Our members work in roles such as producers, directors, editors, camera operators, riggers and runners, and in departments such as costume, hair and make-up, art department, locations and props.
Union membership is more important than ever, giving people a voice in this period of change.
During Union Week, 7-11 November 2022, your colleagues can join Bectu at the discounted rate of £7.50 per month for the first year if paying by Direct Debit.
Join Bectu from 7-11 November to claim this deal.