COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The AVU is keeping a very close eye on events unfolding regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. This page features advice for members plus what studios are doing to help their workers.
BECTU have set up an advice page that can be accessed by clicking BECTU Advice above. The AVU understands the information may not be specific enough for Animation And VFX workers so we will be sharing more specific information here.
If you have ANY concerns and need help then please contact us at:
Industry Updates
DNEG forced to strike improved pay deal with business partners after staff stick together.
Wednesday 20th May 2020
A large number of Bectu members, in association with many more non-members working in the Feature Animation Division of DNEG have forced the animation and VFX employer to seek help from business partners to replace lost staff incomes.
The company had planned to reduce the income of many of their staff by between 20% and 25% claiming adverse business conditions due to COVID-19. This prompted 169 people to sign a collective grievance which the company is yet to formally respond to.
However, following resistance from staff, and a hasty re-negotiation with business partners, the threatened pay-cut has effectively been withdrawn for many.
Bectu calls on DNEG to pause pay-cut consultation
Tuesday 28th April 2020
169 staff members at DNEG are supporting a Collective Grievance calling upon the company to halt it’s consultation on wage cuts and start a meaningful dialogue with its staff.
The London VFX and animation house has been consulting for barely more than a week on swingeing proposed pay cuts of up to 25%. With The staff consultation ending today, many aspects of the proposals are still widely misunderstood - even by the management who are attempting to explain it to staff.
In some cases proposals such as an ‘equity pool’ haven’t even been revealed, even in the most basic form.
DNEG London staff draft urgent Collective Grievance for colleagues to sign
Sunday 26th April 2020
In advance of the company’s Tuesday deadline, a large group of DNEG London employees have met online, and agreed on a Collective Grievance statement that they are urging colleagues to sign before noon on Tuesday
The Collective Grievance calls upon the management to stop trying to railroad them into swingeing wage cuts of up to 25% before everyone concerned can have the opportunity to understand the reasons behind them.
In addition, many are still even confused about what it is they are being offered in the first place. For these reasons, they are calling upon their colleagues at DNEG London to support their request for a real, and meaningful staff consultation with them before imposing a wage-cut.
Bectu urges Animation and VFX employers seeking pay cuts to offer a fair negotiating deal
Tuesday 21st April 2020
Animation and VFX companies are proposing significant cuts to wages, terms and conditions in response to the Covid-19 crisis, according to reports made to Bectu.
Members in DNeg’s London office are being pressed to accept pay cuts of 20% and 25% in some cases, and other companies are also discussing cuts.
In some cases, these proposals are posed as a “take-it-or-leave-your-job” package and very short consultation deadlines have been given to agree terms. Bectu is urging Animation and VFX companies to contact the union before they make any such proposal to staff to discuss plans and will be publishing guidance to all members on how to respond to these kinds of proposals.
The union is asking companies if they are asking for Covid-19-related changes to their working terms to consider:
Giving a detailed overview of their financial position to workers before requesting cuts
Staff being able to access independent advice to interpret such information so that they can understand the way the burden of this issue is being shared between staff and shareholders
If the company decides to impose pay-cuts, the cuts should be treated as loans from the workers which are paid back before any further dividends are paid to shareholders.
Assurances should be given to staff affected by these changes about job-security. If they are asked to make a sacrifice in order to keep their job, all losses that are taken as part of that sacrifice should be repaid if they are subsequently made redundant.
Members have previously been rebuffed by employers when they have requested the ability to participate in employee share-ownership schemes.
Bectu assistant national secretary Paul Evans said: “Bectu recognises that that companies have to make adjustments at this difficult time, and the union welcomes any alternatives intended to reduce job-losses.
“We encourage employers to contact us before making any announcements so that we can reassure members that cuts in wages and terms are being requested for legitimate reasons, and not as an opportunity to continue the race-to-the-bottom that the industry often engages in, in respect to terms and conditions.
“The industry already has a skills shortage and experienced workers will leave in their droves if these cuts are part of a strategy to undercut competitors and accelerate this race to the bottom.
“Many companies offer minimum terms of sick-pay, redundancy, notice periods, pension provision and overtime arrangements. Our members are reacting quite badly now when management talk to them about “our” company. Shareholders have enjoyed the rewards. Now they should also be shouldering the bulk of the risks.”
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DNEG to cut staff wages by 20% minimum
Sunday 18th April 2020
News has broken out the DNEG are to unilaterally cut staff wages by at least 20% for those who earn above a certain salary level. The Visual Effects and Animation studio instructs these cuts will last for a minimum period of 12 months before a review, going off what the AVU has discovered. Employees have been strongly encouraged to agree to this cut. So far, we haven’t heard DNEG offer any consultation or the prospect of a return for such a drastic sacrifice that it expects their employees to burden. The AVU is investigating this and on the lookout for other studios following the same proceedings.
More here >>
BECTU seeks meeting with Chancellor to find solutions for creative industries workers
Saturday 18th April 2020
Unions which represents more than 120,000 people working in the creative industries are writing to the Chancellor highlighting solutions to stop people falling through the gaps of income support schemes.
Bectu, Equity, the NUJ, the Musicians’ Union and the Writers Guild of Great Britain collectively form the Federation of Entertainment Unions and have proposed seven solutions to the Chancellor. The group want discussions with Rishi Sunak as soon as possible.
Read more on BECTU’s website here
BECTU Monitoring industry activity regarding employment
Saturday 18th April 2020
BECTU is closely monitoring how the VFX and Animation industry is coping during the pandemic, especially when it comes to keeping on its employees. The AVU strongly encourages anyone who feels that their job or current way of life is under threat to contact us. At the very least, we can reassure you of your rights and make sure that any events that happen at your place of work follow legal proceedings. Read the advice below this feed to make sure you know your rights.
AVU thanks studios who have most employees working from home
Saturday 11th April 2020
We are incredibly thankful towards those Visual Effects and Animation studios that have taken swift action to make sure their employees are safe and able to work from home. This is truly a fantastic moment in our industry and we hope it’s a turning point to persuade clients that employing remote workers is no longer a security threat. We must all make sure it is a success! Remember to always respect our employers security protocols and the opportunity they are giving us.
Thank you.
BECTU Advice
The following links will take you to BECTU’s own website:
Desperate need for freelancers’ safety net - BECTU steps up pressure on COVID-19
Updated: 25/03/2020
Bectu continues to argue your corner and lobby for better support from the government for our freelancers and others whose livelihoods have been hit so devastatingly by the coronavirus crisis.
As arts venues, film and TV productions and live events close down across the UK we are pressing the Chancellor and Culture Secretary to immediately introduce measures specifically to support freelancers, the self-employed, casual workers and zero hours contracts today in the government announcement at 5pm.
Bectu has written to them to highlight the predicament you are in. Read more here. While we welcome the delay to IR35 tax changes for a year and the introduction of mortgage and rent holidays, it is not enough.
A staggering 5,600 of you responded to our coronavirus survey, which closed on Monday 16 March at 6pm. A shocking 71% of freelancers’ biggest fear was not being able to pay their bills because of the work they’ve lost – remember this was before the government advised people to stay indoors and avoid large gatherings.
Our latest demands
Bectu is lobbying for as a bare minimum:
Direct financial support for freelance and self-employed workers.This would most easily be delivered in the form of a retroactive tax rebate.
Deferment of the 31 July tax deadline alongside the announced delay of IR35.
Interest free loans and measures to eliminate or suppress credit card interest to prevent debt spirals.
Drastic simplification of the Universal Credit application process.
How we are getting your voices heard
All of our focus is on opening up channels of communication with government and ensuring that your voices are heard. Other steps we have taken include:
All MPs have received a briefing on freelancers with calls to action.
Labour MP Alison McGovern put questions on the specific issues facing freelancers to Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday.
We await details of the government’s proposals for income support and have made the argument forcefully to government and opposition that any measures must include support for the self-employed and freelancers. The union has also put specific questions concerning freelancers to the Department for Work and Pensions and we will keep members informed of any guidance we receive.
Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy is in constant communication with the TUC and politicians to make the case for our members.
Shadow minister speaks up for creative industries
We sent our early survey findings to Tracy Brabin, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who is proving to be a real ally to the creative industries. See her letter to the Chancellor here
Bectu freelancers' survey
On Wednesday 18 March we shared the finding that 97% of you had lost confidence in the government’s response to freelance concerns. More here
Our survey findings have been picked up by several media outlets including the front page of Guardian Online, Variety, The Stage and more (links at the bottom of this email). Our member from the London Venue Technicians branch, John Rogers, was featured on the BBC Six O'Clock News on the same day. Watch here
And another Bectu member, Graham Dakin, of the London Union of Crew, was on BBC News channel,where he said this is “a matter of life and death for the self-employed".
Talking to employers and trade bodies
Officials and reps are speaking with employers and trade bodies across all Bectu industries (TV/film, cinemas, outdoor events, theatre, the arts, etc.) about venue closures and what policies around pay and T&Cs during the pandemic will be.
Reps and officials are trying to feed back on this at branch level, so please read any communications coming from your Bectu branch. Your reps have been working so hard on behalf of members and Bectu staff would like to express our thanks for their amazing efforts during this unprecedented time.
Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Acas links
You can find the Coronavirus ACAS guidance for employees here
For our self-employed and zero hours members, we recommend looking into the current government benefit options. Information on Universal Credit is here
Information on the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is here
We suggest you call for a phone assessment. Feedback we are currently receiving is that you should make sure to get any outstanding invoices paid before applying for ESA as that could affect payments.
Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu
Information on Bectu & AVU subscriptions
In these difficult times we remind members that our subscription system allows for adjustment in payments where income is reduced. Please contact the membership team on 0207 346 0900 or email membership@bectu.org.uk should you need to discuss a change in your subscriptions.
In addition we are actively reviewing subscription measures to support members most affected by Covid-19 related reductions or termination of work. We also have certain automated features to our system which moves members through the banded rates, which we will adjust as soon as possible.
We are acutely aware of the need to support members through this period whilst ensuring the union can continue to operate on your behalf.