Union and employers to discuss pan-industry deal

Posted on October 16, 2007

Date set for important talks

Equity will meet with representatives of all the major broadcasters and independent producers in the British television industry this October.The union hopes these talks will represent the first steps towards a pan-industry agreement that will bring together the best of the many individual deals that currently exist.

“A single deal across the whole television industry has long been Equity’s goal,” Assistant General Secretary Andy Prodger said. “But this is the first time that there has been a real prospect of achieving that aim.

In the material produced as part of the TV is Changing campaign, Equity has argued that a single agreement, properly implemented, would be the most sensible approach for the an industry facing dramatic change.

The union also believes that a single deal would be good for Equity members as it would be more transparent, easier to monitor and better able to respond to changing circumstances.

But Andy Prodger sounded a note of caution ahead of the talks.

“We want a pan-industry agreement. We think it would be good for our members and good for our industry,” he said. “But our enthusiasm and optimism does not blind us to the need to protect our members interests. If the deal is not right, if our members are asked to bear too much of the cost, we will end the talks.”

“We will not pursue a deal at any cost.”

TV is Changing • Equity