Pact Statement on Scripted TV Agreement Offer
Pact’s Deputy CEO and Director of Business Affairs, Max Rumney said: “Pact has made a progressive offer which is a serious attempt to address workplace conditions and the work/life balance. It will be a retrograde step that risks immense damage to TV scripted production in the UK if it is thrown out in favour of BECTU’s proposal to its members which is completely unviable and stands no chance of being implemented on productions.
“Financial modelling now being done by producers makes clear many productions will not be shot in the UK under the increased costs from BECTU’s alternative proposals – damaging a production ecosystem that has made the UK one of the best places in the world to make television. In many cases, BECTU’s suggested proposals make productions more expensive without addressing work/life balance challenges in the way we believe our key offers do.
“BECTU terminated the collective agreement which has run since 2017 without a ballot. They are now going to ballot only after we asked them to do so, but are also putting forward their own proposals unilaterally. They claim to still want a collective agreement but, if Pact’s offer is rejected, there will be no collective agreement after 1st September, and no transparency or certainty on terms of work. Everyone – broadcasters, streamers, crew as well as independent producers who have been negotiating in good faith – will lose if that happens. BECTU is playing a dangerous game.
“We have worked very hard to meet the concerns of BECTU point by point. If there is any lack of clarity on any part of our offer, they only need to ask. We are urging their members to accept the new offer and work with us to continue progress on workplace conditions.”