Bectu submits pay claim for West End theatre workers, calls for review of SOLT/Bectu agreement

Bectu has submitted a pay claim to the Society of London Theatres (SOLT) for 2023 as well as proposals for reviewing the Bectu/SOLT Agreement.

The pay claim of 8.7% (May 2023 CPI) was submitted alongside a request for a return to the pre-Covid19 Variation Agreement for Sunday work, including an individual opt out clause that will take effect from the 22 August 2023.

The pandemic and now the skills shortages have highlighted that terms and conditions and pay in the sector need to be addressed and modernised. In consultation with its members and representatives, Bectu has agreed a set of overarching aims to review the Bectu/SOLT Agreement. Short term aims, covering 2023/24, include:

• Widening the scope of the agreement to cover all departments
• Aligning all grades of staff working on shows
• The creation of a joint working group involving employers and Bectu representatives who will review the grading structure and job descriptions for Stage Door, Box Office and front of house roles.

Mid-term aims (2024 onwards) include addressing pension differentials and developing a training and development strategy for both existing and new workers. Long-term aims include reviewing flexible working policies.

Bectu will submit separate pay claims for years 2024 onwards.

Alongside the pay claim, Bectu will shortly relaunch its Fit4Purpose campaign, which calls for the industry to:

• Be fair to workers by establishing a basic wage that recognises the true value of their skills
• Be consistent across departments, ironing out and simplifying historic anomalies and ensuring pay gradings are equality proofed
• Be healthy, by putting work/life balance and health and safety of workers back into the mix
• Be fit for purpose in a modern world where theatre is made differently.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“The pandemic and now the ongoing skills shortage have highlighted that terms and conditions and pay in the theatre sector need to be urgently addressed and modernised. As well as a pay increase that matches inflation, we are calling for a review of the Bectu/SOLT agreement to ensure it remains fit for purpose and appropriate for a modern workforce.

“Many theatre workers are at breaking point and it’s not just about poor pay and rising living costs. Unless the industry meaningfully addresses its long hours, low pay and work/life balance issues the talent drain in theatres will continue. We cannot expect workers to remain ‘for the love of the job’ when there is better pay and conditions to be found elsewhere.

“We know that work/life balance, 6-day working, an opt out on Sunday working, and extending the scope of the agreement to cover grades not currently included are key concerns for our members. Bectu members stepped up throughout Covid and beyond to help the industry back on its feet, with significant impact on their home and social lives and mental health, and it is now time that the industry listens to their concerns to ensure a thriving West End that is fit for the future.

“We are therefore relaunching our Fit4Purpose campaign with the aim of improving the nature of the theatre industry and creating a fairer, healthier working environment for all staff and freelancers in the long term. No business should be run on the charity of its staff; it is time for real change in the theatre industry.”