TV DRAMA AGREEMENT 2023
A set of guidelines that apply to all UK scripted drama produced in the UK
The agreement was negotiated by officials from Bectu, Pact and Bectu reps, including your colleagues from Costume & Wardrobe. It was voted on by Bectu members in 2022 and came into effect in January 2023. It is a working agreement that will be reviewed every 6 months. This is an extensive document that outlines the main terms and conditions for your employment so please take the time to read and understand it.
From January 1st 2024, the budget bands will be:
Budget Band 1: up to £1,250,000
Budget band 2: £1,250,000 – £3,000,000
Budget Band 3: £3,000,000 – £8,000,000
Budget Band 4: above £8,000,000
Any questions can be emailed to us at bectucostumewardrobe@gmail.com or directly to Bectu at lpd@bectu.org.uk
update 8th december 2023
Pact and Bectu have issued joint guidance on six terms contained in the 2023 TV/SVOD Drama Agreement. This guidance recognises that the drafting of some clauses in the agreement had created some uncertainty, and outlines the mutually agreed interpretation of such clauses and how they should be applied.
Both bodies committed in the agreement to meet on a six-monthly basis in order to discuss its implementation and to try to resolve any misunderstandings. This guidance is the result of the first such meeting. The next meeting will take place in January 2024.
view the guidance here
Broken Turnaround Payments
Crew members are entitled to an 11 hour break between finishing work and their next call time (an 11-hour turnaround), as per the Working Time Regulations. This is a health and safety requirement and you cannot be forced to break your turnaround if you do not wish to do so.
Whilst we work on restoring the broken turnaround payments to what they used to be in the TV drama agreement (in the Major Motion Picture Agreement this has not changed), we would encourage members to exercise their right to an 11-hour break.
If you have been asked to break your turnaround, you can question your supervisor as to whether this is necessary or merely an oversight.
If you are a head of department, we would urge you to start a dialogue with your production team and the other affected departments about how to avoid breaking turnarounds for you crew as it has serious health and safety implications.
If you are unsure about how to do this, if you would like further advice or information about jobs on which this has been achieved, or any other questions regarding broken turnaround issues, please contact us.