Theatre managers urge backstage workers to take 5% pay rise

Published Tuesday 16 October 2007 at 13:35 by Alistair Smith

London theatre managers have taken the unusual step of writing to backstage staff in a bid to encourage them to accept a 5% pay rise which is currently being put to ballot by technical union Bectu.

Last week, Bectu announced that it had submitted the deal from the Society of London Theatre to its members and was neither recommending an acceptance or rejection of the offer, but asking them to “judge it on its merits”.

Several union members have since revealed that they have received letters from SOLT stressing that the deal is significantly above inflation (4.1%) and urging them to accept the offer.

However, Bectu supervisory official Willy Donaghy has warned that the tactic might backfire on SOLT.

He said: “I am aware that the letter has been circulated to West End members and received copies from members before being advised by SOLT.

“Of course employers can communicate with their staff, but in my experience such missives often tend to have the opposite effect to that intended.”

The deal would also include a 1.5% increase in employers’ matched pension contributions. The deadline for the ballot is October 26, although this might be extended depending on postal strikes.

Following the conclusion of this round of negotiations, Bectu and SOLT will begin work on a new skills-based agreement, which will involve a major overhaul of current contracts.