Pact has called the PSBs and Sky, plus streamers and indies, to an emergency summit after Bectu “overwhelmingly” rejected its terms of conditions.
With the union’s members backing its position in a ballot. Bectu head Philippa Childs threw it back to Pact to “discuss a way forward as a matter of urgency” following the vote.
Pact stands by its offer, which deputy chief executive and director of business affairs Max Rumney said was “very strong and made real strides in addressing concerns over working practices and the work-life balance.”
Last month, Childs welcomed the indie body’s “improved offer” outlined in a series of changes to what crew should expect on scripted productions budgeted at less than £7m per hour.
These include cutting the maximum working day from 11 hours to 10, unsocial hours brought forward from midnight to 11pm, and the introduction of double pay on Bank Holidays.
Rumney initially reiterated Pact’s stance: “If any of the details were not clear, we remain available to provide further clarification”.
He subsequently added: “If Bectu’s priority is now to address the work-life balance, the question is how that can be funded. It will require a broader look at the financing and scheduling of production, and not simply a revision of terms and conditions alone.”
Childs said the measures do not go far enough in addressing the industry’s “unsustainable long hours culture”.
She added: “The UK TV drama industry has reached a critical point, with many crew suffering from burn out and low morale and unable to sustain a family life and their own wellbeing.
“It’s time to meet these issues head on with an agreement that addresses our members’ concerns and is fit for the future to ensure the industry, and its staff, thrive for years to come.”
With the current agreement set to expire on 1 September, she said the two parties should resume negotiations “as a matter of urgency”.
Last week, more than 70 indies, including I Hate Suzie producer Bad Wolf, Traces and It's a Sin indie Red Production Company and Normal People producer Element Pictures, plus Buccaneer Media, Sid Gentle Films, Banijay and Keshet UK, wrote to everyone working on their productions to urge them to back Pact's offer.
