Bectu

05/06/2026

This is what standing up to the far right looks like.

Bectu and members were out in numbers for the Together March earlier this year to unite against the far right with one voice 📣

We caught up with members on the march to hear exactly why we should reject narratives of racism and discrimination, build solidarity, and unite against the far right 🔊

Video description: Bectu and Prospect members outside marching for the Together March discussing why they have come to support the March, along with behind the scenes footage cut between the interviews.

02/06/2026

Panorama’s shocking report on Married At First Sight highlights the precarious position many workers face in the industry, the uneven power dynamics that can create toxic cultures and the very real fear creative workers face of losing work if they speak out against harassment.

Head of Bectu spoke to Noor Nanji on the wider issues the documentary raises, as well as, the “preposterous” claim by the production company CPL that workers who had come forward had a “axe to grind”.

Bectu’s Big Survey revealed 7 in 10 women in the creative industries had directly experienced workplace bullying and harassment in the last 12 months.

Our survey also found that only around half of those who have experienced bullying or harassment had reported the incident to their employer or engager. Just 12% reported the incident and were satisfied with the response.

It is clear that a radical step-change is needed for the industry to meaningfully tackle this issue.

Video description: A edited news clip of a report by Noor Nanji featuring various BTS scenes and an explanation of the panorama investigation into Married At First Sight, with central interview with Head of Bectu Philippa Childs

21/05/2026

The dire need for the overdue freelance champion to be appointed, and get to work immediately as a voice for freelancers in Government, is clear 🎬

Creative freelancers are routinely denied basic rights and protections, including access to sick pay, holiday pay, and redundancy support.

Freelancers are the backbone of the UK’s creative industries. But too many freelancers are working without rights, protections, or security.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the UK’s world-leading creative industries, urgent action is needed to better support the freelance workforce at its core.

Freelancers deserve fairer, more secure conditions, including access to sick pay, pensions, and parental leave, regardless of contract length.

Bectu’s Maria Zani, disability rights advocate and activist, spoke passionately at the recently on her experiences as a freelancer working in film and TV, and why the playing field needs to be level for freelancers and employees now.

14/05/2026

At this year, Bectu and our French partner unions are standing together to say enough is enough on long hours culture in film and TV 🎬

We have issued a joint statement with our French union partners for an immediate shift in industry practices to prioritise fair working hours, protected rest breaks, and sustainable careers for film and audiovisual workers.

Behind the glitzy image of film & TV, long hours working culture is endemic with broken turnaround being an all too common feature.

That means being asked back to work with less than 11 hours’ rest between shifts.

​Workers tell us burnout, unsafe journeys home, accidents, poor mental health and missing out on family life because long hours have become part of the job.

At Cannes, Bectu and our French partner unions are standing together to say enough is enough.

We asked Bectu members on the Broken Turnaround walk last week around production offices what this campaign meant to them 🎦
Video description: Bectu members walking round production offices discussing impact of long hours culture.

08/05/2026

Let’s tackle long hours culture in UK film and tv together 🕰️

To start our Broken Turnaround week of action Bectu members were out this week in various locations in London and Media City to say you can say no to Broken Turnaround.

Sign our end long hours culture petition we have launched as part of the weeks action here ✍️

Film and TV culture can leave workers doing long hours without adequate rest breaks. Sign Bectu's petition to demand safer, fairer working lives for everyone behind the camera.

27/02/2026

Unite against the far right, join the Together march 📢

Save the date
📅 Saturday 28 March 2026
📍 Central London

& are proud to support the Together march in central London on Saturday 28 March.

The Together march is your chance to help reject narratives of racism and discrimination, build solidarity, and unite against the far right.

Closer to the march, we will be sharing full details of the arrangements for the trade union section.

19/02/2026

Have your say on the future of the BBC 📺 📻 🌎

If you are a BBC worker or a freelancer working in the creative industries who wants to shape the debate on the future of the BBC click this post in our bio to use our templates and respond to the Government consultation on the BBC Charter Review 🔗

18/12/2025

It’s been another busy year for Bectu members, we launched the largest-ever survey of behind-the-scenes creative workers and got some big union wins.

Watch our end of year video & read Head of Bectu Childs review of 2025 by clicking this post in our bio.

20/11/2025

Bectu has long campaigned for a freelance champion to be a voice for freelancers at the heart of Government 📢

It’s essential the incoming champion is given real and meaningful powers, to help set policy and to intervene on behalf of freelancers, to ensure sustained change.

Listen to what Head of Bectu had to say at (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) and

Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre fantastic event this week ‘The Creative Freelancer’s Experience’ 🎬

19/11/2025

New to Bectu? If you join during Union Week not only can you get 3 months free, speak to our membership team to get free Bectu Extra membership until the end of 2025, including public liability and personal accident insurance.

Get in touch via our link in bio to find out more about the terms of the offer 📎