Improving freelancer conditions
ShareyourthoughtsonBectu's‘BrokenTurnaround’campaign
Bectu has begun a series of demonstrations drawing attention to its Broken Turnaround campaign.
The campaign focuses on long working hours that routinely cut into crew members’ daily and weekly rest periods.
The union’s activity will move to the Cannes Film Festival next week, where – with support from French unions – they plan to raise international awareness of its claims about the impact of excessive hours on crew members’ health, mental wellbeing and family life.
In industry terms, a “turnaround” is the rest period between shifts. Daily turnaround should be a minimum of 11 hours, while the union’s agreements (where they exist) say that a weekly turnaround following a five‑day week should total 59 hours (i.e., 48 hours plus 11). If, for example, work finishes after 9pm on a Friday, a standard 8am Monday call is meant to be delayed as paid time-off, or compensated through a penalty payment known as Compensatory Rest.
Bectu points to the continued prevalence of very long days and so‑called “Fraturday” shifts show that all workers in scripted and unscripted TV should have these protections, and that existing penalty payments – where they exist in some drama productions - do not act as a sufficient deterrent.
The union has said it intends to raise the issue in the next round of negotiations with producers’ body Pact later this year.
“Current working practices are increasingly unsustainable, contributing to high levels of stress, ill health, and the loss of experienced and skilled professionals from the industry. We are calling on employers to take immediate and meaningful action to address excessive hours and improve working conditions. Without urgent intervention, the industry risks undermining both its workforce and its future success.””
Directors UK is inviting members to share their views on the campaign. Comments can be sent to Paul Evans, Head of Industry Relations, at [email protected].
More information on this issue can be found on the Bectu website.