Taking chaperones under our wing
I write with reference to the story about exploited chaperones in the last issue of the stage (“Chaperones accuse panto producers of ‘exploitation’” December 3, front page). BECTU is the recognised trade union for chaperones and we have dealt with a number of problems this season. The BECTU/TMA Agreement which applies in the vast majority of large-scale regional theatres covers the minimum rates of pay for chaperones employed by the theatres, currently £5.92 per hour or £20.76 per performance, with all other conditions on hours of work, breaks and holiday entitlement in accordance with those of all other performance staff. It is also acknowledged in the collective agreement that these rates are the minimum and that it is not expected that they will often apply. My advice to the chaperones affected is to join BECTU and get in touch with the local union representative, or BECTU office.
Willy Donaghy
BECTU
Email supplied
Also in Features
- Fondly remembered
- I thought George Hall’s obituary for David Blewitt was absolutely spot on…
- Fulsome disagreement
- Forgive my tardiness in replying to Michael Walters’ strange letter (Stage…
- Credit checking
- It is good to see Matthew Hemley highlight the general dissatisfaction there…
- Reduction of members
- I am delighted that Equity is finally biting the bullet and now seriously…
- Few opportunities for actors
- Doremy Vernon (Stage Talk, February 2, page 8) points out that there are some…
- Fair representation for all
- Regional house managers are part of the Theatrical Management Association….
- Lazy portrayals of magicians
- The review of the musical Big Society (The Stage, January 26, page 18)…
- Worthwhile use of funding?
- My reaction on reading your article Back from the Brink (The Stage, January…
- Support for members
- It is brilliant that you’ve written such a great article about Equity’s…
- Working Title’s bad deal for workers
- Les Miserables - one of the most successful musicals of all time - is now…
Content is copyright © 2012 The Stage Media Company Limited unless otherwise stated.
All RSS feeds are published for personal, non-commercial use. (What’s RSS?)