Backpay for freelance River City staff as 'bullying' BBC caves in

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 20:59

THE BBC has been forced to shell out thousands of pounds of licence payers' cash after underpaying staff on the hit soap opera River City.

The corporation has agreed to pay the backdated wages after a lengthy dispute with the technicians' trade union Bectu, which claimed that freelance and trainee staff were being denied a proper wage.

The union claimed the victory could bring to an end "bullying" of young staff in the TV industry in Scotland.

Scottish organiser Paul McManus said: "There has been a great deal of talk among freelances in Scotland about what can be done to stop producers from bullying members into accepting low rates of pay and poor conditions.

"Bectu has demonstrated here that we can make a difference for freelances and that we can improve their pay and conditions.

"I know these members, like freelances everywhere, are very nervous about raising concerns formally in case producers hold a grudge against them, but the courage our members on River City have shown has brought results and the positive and constructive response we have received from management at BBC Scotland's drama department is also much welcomed."

It is understood that trainee and freelance staff have received backdated wages after BBC management caved in and admitted low pay during filming of the last two series.

The BBC has accepted that management undercut previous agreements and forced trainees to accept lower rates of pay. In addition, the corporation has acknowledged that freelances were not properly paid for working overtime.

BBC bosses have agreed that all contracts on the show will be scrutinised in future to make sure that they comply with Bectu agreements, while working hours and the use of trainees will be closely monitored.

Shooting on the next series of River City, which details life in the fictional town of Shieldinch, started at the end of August.