Stage, Screen & Radio - October/November 2014 - 14

It's easy to join BECTU

BECTU services
ices
for freelances
The union offers you an unrivalled range of
support to help you throughout your career

B

ECTU's services to freelance members
cover a wide range, from advice on
rates to registering a script. The
emphasis throughout is on helping you to
equip yourself, and look after yourself, as a
freelance worker in a roller-coaster industry.

BE WORK-READY

The first priority is to get yourself ready
for work. That means developing the skills
you're going to need, whether technical,
creative, or business skills. BECTU runs
regular courses on networking, improving
your CV, finance for freelances, negotiating
skills and health & safety.
To help you find the right job we produce
Early Bird, an early-warning freelance service
with information on upcoming jobs. And we
maintain Crewbus, our own online directory
of freelance talent to help employers find
their way to you.
If you do appropriate specialist work
working in the public eye, we can provide
you with an accredited press pass issued
by the Metropolitan Police, to confirm your
professional status.
Last but not least, we offer a range of
insurance packages covering the different
risks faced by working freelances.

"I had to call on
union support
during a difficult time"

I joined BECTU because, before embarking on a career in TV, I was
a member of a union. I had to call on their support during a difficult
time at work and it was a great comfort - and relief - to know that I
had an organisation supporting me to get various issues resolved. I feel
ON THE JOB
I've already gained a lot in the short time I've been a BECTU member by
Once you're on the job
speaking with fellow members about the ins and outs of freelancing.
you want to know you're
For instance, advice on accounting has been invaluable. It's great to
being treated fairly.
know there is a body supporting media professionals and
Contact BECTU and we
providing a loud voice about things that need rectifying. Even if I
can advise you on rates of
never need to call on BECTU I'm happy to contribute and
pay, your legal rights on
support those who need union assistance. I know firstworking hours and rest
hand what a difference this can make. I'm looking
breaks, contracts, and many
forward to being a BECTU member for a
other issues.
long time to come. Laura
Thomson, researcher
UNPAID INVOICES
And if, after all that, the employer is
reluctant to pay your invoice, we can chase
up your debt and help get you paid.
Freelance Tax Advice to members and have
a regular dialogue with HMRC.
IT'S THE LAW

If you have a really serious problem at work,
you can if appropriate get legal advice and/or
representation. And for non-work-related
legal queries such as domestic or consumer
issues, as a BECTU member you can get
quick advice from our Legal Helpline.
TAX AND SPEND

Freelance tax status is a weird and wonderful
world of its own, but we know our way
around it, and we retain a highly-qualified
specialist tax consultant. We publish regular

CREATIVE RIGHTS

In certain circumstances, if you produce a
new piece of creative work such as a design,
or still image, or script, or format, you may
hold copyright in it. This may be a valuable
asset which you should protect.
We can help to verify your status as a
rights-holder through our Script Registration
Service. And we have links with several
collecting societies which monitor the
exhibition of creative works and collect
money for the rights-holders.

"I'm always
grateful when the
unions negotiate
a better deal"
I've worked at my current company for 15 years. I've seen senior
managers get pay rises which they don't need, bonuses for simply
doing their jobs, and even bonuses or massive pay offs for failing
to adequately do a job, when everyone else is having pay freezes
(cuts in real terms). It's felt so unfair, but reflects the ever
increasing gap between rich and poor, both across the
country and within organisations. I'm always grateful
when the unions negotiate a better deal, so why not
join them and support the work they do for us all?
Alice Bruggen,
Programme executive, BBC
14

Stage Screen & Radio October/November 2014
Stage, Screen & Radio - October/November 2014

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