Employees who work in London’s West End theatres and are members of the Bectu trade union have voted to accept a three-year pay deal.
The pay deal, offered by employers’ body The Society of London Theatre (Solt), will be backdated to 2 October 2017 and include a 3.5% pay increase for 2017-2018, a further 3.5% pay rise for 2018-2019, and a final 2.5% pay increase for 2019-2020 which will be subject to the Consumer Prices Index inflation rate announced in September 2019, with a protected underpin if inflation goes over 3%.
Bectu members voted 88% in favour of the pay deal, in a ballot which closed on 16 November 2017.
The new pay offer will cover all the 45 West End theatres represented by Solt, and will apply to employees working across all departments.
Bectu is also currently negotiating on redrafting holiday provisions, creating an improved conciliation board process, and reviewing the stage doorkeeper role in line with stage and electrics positions. The trade union expects to resolve these issues by 6 December 2017.
Helen Ryan, assistant national secretary at Bectu, said: “Talks on the other elements of the pay claim are progressing well and we are hopeful that an agreement will be reached on a number of these issues.”
A spokesperson at Solt added: “We are pleased that Bectu members have accepted this deal following the conclusion of constructive negotiations. This three-year deal provides clarity and certainty for our members and staff across the West End.”