EXCLUSIVE: Film production employment reform stalls, union eyes rate card pay-rise.

Long-awaited employment reform in the UK film industry has been further delayed after BECTU union officials were left “disappointed” by the latest proposal from producers alliance PACT.

After meeting in May to try and draw up a new and clear set of guidelines around working hours, overtime, turnaround, break time and compensation, BECTU officials unanimously rejected PACT’s proposal.

According to one union source, BECTU was “taken completely by surprise” by the “disappointing” proposal presented by PACT, which the source claims did not address the union’s concerns.

PACT chief John McVay told ScreenDaily: “Negotiations are taking a lot longer than expected. Discussions are ongoing.”

According to McVay, PACT “consulted extensively” within the industry before presenting its terms.

BECTU is understood to be considering its position on the issue, which it will discuss at a committee meeting in early August.

The union is also expected to discuss a potential increase in its film rate cards, with a 5% increase across the board described as “likely” by one official.

UK media and entertainment trade union BECTU has a membership of around 26,500,  

Screen first reported on the long-in-the-works employment reform discussions last summer.