HeartUnions Blog: Why Bectu is the union for live events workers

This HeartUnions week we’re hearing from a range of voices across our union on why they love being a part of Bectu. Today we are talking to Isabella Di Biase, a freelance sound engineer and Bectu rep who works across live events venues in London. Isabella is secretary/co-chair of the London Union of Venue Technicians and co-chair of our Live Events Network. She tell us why she joined Bectu, what advice she has for new joiners and why Bectu is the union for live events workers.

Why did you join Bectu? 

I was part of a group of freelance sound and lighting techs that met regularly to discuss how to improve working conditions and rates in London venues. In 2017, we unanimously decided that joining Bectu and forming our own branch was the best way to protect our rights as workers and to start building a community. The London Union of Venue Technicians is the first ever UK union branch exclusively dedicated to venue technicians and the pilot branch of Bectu Live Events Network.

What advice do you have for people joining the union? 

I do suggest getting involved with your branch’s activities: going to branch meetings, becoming a rep, being part of the committee etc.,  Branches are member led and it’s important that a wide range of ideas are represented and an array of working-related issues are addressed. Every member can make a difference and bring something to the table that will help the branch itself to grow and improve its support to members but also to the field/industry in which they work.

How has being a union member improved your work life? 

Being a union member has taught me things like addressing and dealing with issues at work, negotiating rates and conditions, but it has also helped me in finding my own dimension at work and “knowing my worth”, as one of my committee members said.  I’m part of a group of people that support each other in a lot of different ways from work advice to shadowing. During the pandemic it was a lifesaver to be in contact with my branch members and to have the chance to exchange opinions, express fears and talk to Bectu officials about how our industry has been negatively affected by the closure of venues and lack of work and how it had to be addressed at government level.

Why did you become a rep?

I’ve always been passionate about workers’ rights and I’ve been involved in unions and political organisations since I was a teenager. For instance, I was a students’ rep in high school and at uni. When I joined Bectu I asked to be part of my branch’s committee because I strongly believed in our project and I wanted to give as much support as I could. At the same time I wanted to learn more about how to help other members, organise campaigns, negotiate, but also how to communicate our industry needs to Bectu officials.

Finally, why should people who work in live events join Bectu this HeartUnions week?

The Live Events Network is a group of people that work in live events every day. We represent workers from every role and background and our branches were born to support and give a voice to every person that works in the industry. Joining us helps people to navigate their work by giving them tools to identify their rights at work, supporting their career with training, webinars, shadowing and mentoring programs, offering legal help and making them feel an important part of a wider group. This is particularly relevant to freelance and sole traders that work in live events. We tend to consider ourselves as micro islands, often subjected to unfair working conditions and rates that create division and vulnerability.  Our aim is to change this culture and make our industry a fairer and more equal environment for everyone.