West End on verge of breakthrough Bectu/SOLT Sunday working deal

Published Tuesday 21 December 2004 at 16:35 by Jeremy Austin

West End producers and backstage staff are closer than ever before to reaching an agreement that would allow all shows to stage Sunday performances should they wish - but negotiating bodies are urging caution saying it is not yet a done deal.

Bectu and the Society of London Theatres are to put to their individual members a deal that will give technical staff the option of working on Sundays for double time. The offer also includes a pay increase of 5.5% and improvements in maternity, paternity and adoption leave entitlements. Members have until January 14 to vote on the deal. Bectu’s supervisory official Willy Donaghy is hopeful that they will accept.

“This is a huge step forward for us. We wanted to ensure that there was a level playing field and no groups were getting paid less than what we said was an unacceptable minimum,” he said.

Equity and the Musicians’ Union both have blanket agreements permitting Sunday opening - although Equity’s is a side agreement and the union is pressing to bring it into the main contract. Bectu negotiators did not feel that until now they had been offered an acceptable package. Sources said SOLT had agreed to put this deal forward after an emergency session when it looked like, once again, an deal would not be struck.

Chief executive of SOLT Richard Pulford refused to anticipate the outcome of the ballot of either his or Bectu’s members. However, he said: “It has been an issue that has been discussed for a very long time but it has never been as close to an agreement between the two parties.”