Unions in a nutshell(ish)

[Sparky]

To properly answer a question regarding different TV Unions by Nightfly.

I dug out my Union Rule book...

The current setup is under BECTU; which was formed in 1991 which is effectively an amlagamation of the various Film, TV and Cinema Unions.

Prior to this, we had -

ACTT - founded in 1933; and looked after interests of those working withing a Technical Capacity in Film and Television.

BETA - Broadcasting and Entertainments Trade Alliance - formed in 1984 - made up of an alliance between ABS and NATTKE.

ABS - was formed in 1940, strictly for Television staff only. (As Nightfly mentioned).

NATTKE - Was formed in 1890 - to protect interests of those working within TV and Film, but not in a Technical Capacity and also Cinema Staff.

FAA - Was founded in 1927 for Film Artistes  - and I think looks after non speaking Extras and walk on parts.

EEPTU - Looking after Plumbers, Electricians and Electronics Engineers working within the Film Industry. They were also knows as The Mafia, as if you upset one member; you upset every single member in the country.... cue a walk out.

The ACTT had seperate "Film" and "Television" branches - you could only be a member of one, and not work on another branch.

So - a Film member couldn't work in a TV Studio and vice Versa.

A TV Studio was defined as a building that was purposely constructed, equipped, and staffed on a full time basis. And included Outside Broadcast units too.

A Film studio was defined as an empty space a film company would take over for a short term - a sound stage, school hall, old wherehouse, etc. (aka as A Production base) and the production would be shot on Film. At the end of the shoot, everyone would go their seperate ways.

Switching Special Branch from Video to Film in 1972 created friction between the two ACTT branches - as the TV branch saw that the Film Branch were stealing their work.

As a result, Euston Films was blacklisted almost as soon as it had started operations. So all production stopped. This also affected early Van Der Valk episodes too.

In December 1973, about 2000 members of the ACTT descended on Camden Town hall and a huge stand off took place between Film and TV branch members.

The Union committee was outed on no confidence; chairs were chucked about and a new committee was appointed - initially made up of Euston Films staff members. David Wickes was on it for a short while.

During the late 1980s; this was all brought under one banner - BECTU.

They still have the various Regional, Local and Divisional Branches.

The BBC have their own "regional shop", as do ITV and the London Production area.

All a bit tedious, but I hope that explains the politics. But also why some programmes suddenly switched from one to the other, or simply were a struggle to get made.

[Nightfly]

Dec 26, 2021 13:33:15 GMT Sparky said:

To properly answer a question regarding different TV Unions by Nightfly.

Thanks for this Sparky, interesting stuff.

Whatever anyone's opinions may be, I do think the whole history had a lot to do with why the UK has such a great reputation for having the best film/TV technicians/creatives and maintenance of high standards. We might be past the golden era, but we can still make great telly. Even the lowest common denominator reality shows might be cr*p but they're always well shot, in focus and everything happens on time and when it should etc. As for the people in front of the camera...well, that might be a different story sometimes.

[Sparky]

Dec 26, 2021 14:24:39 GMT Nightfly said:

Dec 26, 2021 13:33:15 GMT Sparky said:

To properly answer a question regarding different TV Unions by Nightfly.

Thanks for this Sparky , interesting stuff.

Whatever anyone's opinions may be, I do think the whole history had a lot to do with why the UK has such a great reputation for having the best film/TV technicians/creatives and maintenance of high standards. We might be past the golden era, but we can still make great telly. Even the lowest common denominator reality shows might be cr*p but they're always well shot, in focus and everything happens on time and when it should etc. As for the people in front of the camera...well, that might be a different story sometimes.

George Lucas and Mr Spielberg have both commented on how they prefer to make their films in the UK, as the wealth of knowledge/know how is frightening.

The only thing that let them down are the Union Rules - they thought the US was bad.

It's gone full circle - we're a little more relaxed; the US are very unionised.

[Del Boy]

Wow so many factions Sparky. Its no wonder there were many an issue affecting productions. The one I remember was the TV AM strike that went on for quite some time. The producers started showing 60s Batman episodes to fill the gaps.
Speaking as someone who works in a unionised workplace I have seen first hand how politics between unions can be more disruptive than beefs with management.

[Dirty Epic]

Not tedious at all Sparky good stuff again.

I remember a lot of the Union strikes affected BBC and more so ITV in the late '70's so was always interested in this stuff and the politics behind it. Always glad Euston Films managed to ride out the storm here as some great television may not have been made.

EEPTU used to be quite active in other industry sectors too didn't they seem to be quite around a lot around the '80's? 

I'm on the fence about it all if they're protecting their workers from exploitative or dangerous conditions then it's a good thing they're challenging that if they're preventing/blacklisting/striking because of someone for working on a TV show not shot in a studio or things similar I'm not in favour of that.

[Sparky]

Dec 27, 2021 11:38:26 GMT Dirty Epic said:

EEPTU used to be quite active in other industry sectors too didn't they seem to be quite around a lot around the '80's? 

The EEPTU had a huge stand off with the TUC too.

By the mid-late 80s, I think they had been phased out; those working in TV or Film ended part of the ACTT, those working as jobbing electricians on building sites ended up in their own union.

There are still a lot of old school still working today.

I've been on a few jobs where where there has been spats over catering (lack of), breaks, over runs and over time.

The first jobs I worked on during the early 90s, certain members were working to rule - and refused to work any over time without negotiating eye watering amounts of over time - which would never be agreed by Producers.

It transpired, this particular dispute - confined to Central TV - had been rumbling on since 1980, during the days of ATV.

That was caused by the IBA forcing ATV to close the Elstree Studio and relocate all ITV production to the midlands, while at the same time force ACC (who owned ATV) to reform the management structure.

The upcoming franchise renewal was used as the bargaining chip.

What happened was this; ACC sold off a handful of it's interests; and rebranded "ATV Network" as "ATV Midlands" - which would have a HQ in the midlands and a regional board of directors.

Elstree was going to be retained by ACC/ITC and the space used for independent productions.

Enough work to sustain keeping Elstree open wasn't found (it was hoped TV-AM and Channel 4 would use some of it).

The proposed changes weren't enough for the IBA - so the franchise application was looked at again - the name was changed to "Central" -and the new company promised to build a new studio centre in the midlands (Nottngham)

ACC had no alternative to close  Elstree, so staff were offered early retirement, redundancy or relocation fees for those wanting to move to the midlands.

The issue was the amount of money offered by ATV - to relocate staff and their families.

Unions felt it wasn't anywhere near enough.

This was still rumbling on in 1994.

Making S2 of "Auf Pet" was held up on numerous occasions because of this dispute.