Organising awards celebrate Bectu activists’ tenacity in difficult times
Bectu’s Post Production and Facilities branch won best large branch (250+ members) in this year’s Prospect organising awards, which celebrate the hard-working volunteers who support members and build the union.
The Bectu Post Fest event is run by the Post Production and Facilities branch. Photo: Katarzyna Perlak
Harriet Lawrence (Locations Department branch) was commended in the individual organising award, and Guy Bishop, from the same branch, in the young member award.
“It’s a great honour to have won the 2020 large branch award from Prospect and Bectu and to be recognised for the work we have done in the last few years,” said Meredith Leece and Riccardo Bacigalupo, Post Production and Facilities branch committee members.
“Countless hours of hard work by committee and branch members alike have brought Post Production and Facilities together as a community; and through the union we have made amazing strides in creating better working conditions in UK film and TV post.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but despite a difficult year nationwide, morale and membership across the branch are high, and we look forward to 2021 being our best year yet.”
Nia Hughes, full-time organising official, said: “Post Production and Facilities have proven time and again to be a modern, dynamic branch. They have delivered the successful Post Fest, responded to issues around diversity in post, curated a fantastic Zoom programme filled with high-profile speakers during lockdown, and much more.
“I’m proud to have worked with them throughout their journey, and wish the branch continued success and strength.”
Stronger together
Guy Bishop of Locations Department branch thanked those who nominated him for the young member category, saying: “It’s a great feeling. I hope I’ve managed to promote Bectu to a younger generation who are unfamiliar with what trade unions are and how they operate.”
Harriet Lawrence, commended in the individual organising award, said: “It is wonderful to be acknowledged but this is more about our branch.
“I think we are stronger together, and as a branch, we can share good practices and experiences, and support each other as well as the junior members starting their careers.
“As branch secretary I am a conduit, disseminating information, communicating, directing members to others for help and encouraging more awareness.”
Patrick Emond, full-time negotiations executive, said: “Harriet’s no-nonsense and proactive approach to organising has meant the branch is a force to be reckoned with in the film/TV sector.
“Guy has demonstrated that trying to organise young people is not a thankless task, and by speaking to their experiences and their genuine needs, it’s possible to galvanise their interest to the importance of trade union membership.”
He added that Location Department Juniors has grown from Facebook page into a genuine community which has drawn acclaim from influential industry professionals, and even piqued the interest of the London Mayor’s Office.