Theatre workers want strike ballot

Bectu theatre workers are protesting at "poverty pay"

Theatre workers in London's West End have overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer and voted for a strike ballot over what their union is calling "poverty pay".

The 1.6% rise, from employers' organisation the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), was rejected by 99.6% of Bectu members.

They also voted 98% in favour of instructing union leaders to ballot members over strike action if the society failed to improve the offer.

A union spokesman said: "The average hourly rate in the West End is £6.33, and many earn much less."

Members have voted for a strike ballot twice this year

But he added that Bectu remained open to a "constructive response" from employers.

This is the second time this year that Bectu members have voted for a strike ballot following an offer from SOLT.

In April, SOLT sought to abolish additional payments for show bonuses and Sunday working, and to introduce compulsory overtime.

It also wanted to reduce crew levels and abolish craft differences between electricians and stage technicians.

In return, SOLT offered staff a 12.5% pay rise.

'Victorian'

The employer did not attempt to impose the scheme after the union members voted for a strike ballot. The ballot was never held.

Bectu said in April that the SOLT's proposals would have amounted to a "return to Victorian working conditions".

Increased profits must not be gained at the expense ofworkers' work-life balance, it warned.