Pay increase for TV extras in London

Published Tuesday 2 October 2007 at 13:45 by Matthew Hemley

Television extras working in London are to benefit from a 5.5% pay increase after Bectu and producers trade association Pact negotiated a new deal for the independent sector.

From November 1, all members of Bectu’s Film Artistes Association division, who feature in independent productions within a 40-mile radius of Charing Cross, will receive an increase of 5.5% on every rate associated with appearing in a production. The basic rate a background artist earns from a day’s work will rise from £71.85 to £75.80.

Bectu national official Spencer MacDonald said negotiations with Pact had been going on for some time and described the new terms of trade as a “good package” for all FAA members.

He said: “It means a real pay increase for our members and we have clarified the agreement so there are not as many anomalies in there.”

MacDonald said a major breakthrough in the new agreement will see extras paid for their time when they have their payment slip signed on completion of filming, which can often take a long time and which has traditionally been at the expense of the employee.

Pact head of production services Barry Kimm said the new terms of trade applied to background artists, stand-ins and doubles and would be used by independent production companies regardless of whether they are members of the trade association.

However, she warned that Pact can only “recommend observance” of the agreement and cannot make it mandatory.

News of the new deal has prompted calls for broadcasters who make dramas in-house to increase their rates of pay for walk-on and background artists.

Equity walk-on councillor Clive Hurst said pressure should be put on ITV in particular to update its agreements with the actors’ union. He said the broadcaster had recently agreed to a 5% increase in payment for Equity actors who have main roles in in-house productions, but had so far failed to raise the rate for walk-ons.

Equity head of communications Martin Brown said Equity was currently in talks with Pact, ITV and the BBC about its television agreements and pay rates for all artists, including those in walk-on and background roles. However, he said he could not comment on negotiations while they were ongoing.