The Stage

Radio voice-over artists threaten strike

Published Tuesday 30 March 2004 at 13:40

Commercial radio voice-over artists could be forced into industrial action after the stations’ trade body flatly refused to accept new pay proposals from Equity.

The dispute arose after the union distributed a new rate card to broadcasters which included a provision for ‘unbonding’ - the separation of AM and FM stations.

This was rejected by the Commercial Radio Companies’ Authority and replaced by its own pay rates - which Equity believes could reduce artists’ earnings to the equivalent of 1989 levels.

Now union assistant general secretary Andy Prodger has issued the CRCA with an ultimatum to agree to a compromise by April 2 or risk losing more than 250 performers who voice their ads.

Previously there was a single sum for stations broadcast on the two different frequencies, AM and FM. However, joint licences are no longer issued and most AM/FM stations have separated into two broadcasters.

Said Prodger: “Technically this means they were getting two commercials for the price of one. So we sent out new rate cards which separated payments six months in advance. Thirteen days before they were due to come into force we got a letter from the CRCA saying they do not accept our new rates and will issue a rate card of their own.

“We are concerned about the CRCA rates. There seem to be new calculations based on nothing in particular, which will significantly reduce what members are going to be paid. Members are likely to be facing a 20% reduction and in some circumstances they will be going back to what they were paid 15 years ago.”

He added that a letter has now been sent to the CRCA outlining a compromise whereby the new rates will be introduced gradually, with the second station in a bonded pair paying 50% of the current rate.

A special category will be introduced where exceptional geographical conditions or small listening figures prevail. Such stations will be charged 25%.

If this is not accepted Prodger warned that members will be advised to reject CRCA’s terms. This could mean stations are left without artists to voice their adverts.

Since 1993, when an agreement with the commercial radio broadcasters broke down, Equity has issued its own rate cards, calculating fees for a 12-month period of usage based on the size of the station and its number of listeners. These have, until now, been widely accepted.