Following a productive meeting with employment law advice bureau Acas, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and entertainment trade union BECTU have come to an agreement about a new pay deal for theatre workers.
The new agreement, which runs for 36 months from 1 October 2014, puts an end to any fears of industrial action that had been threatening West End shows.
A statement on behalf of SOLT and BECTU said:
“Both sides are pleased to have made significant progress on staff employed front of house with an initial increase of £1 extra per hour to minimum rates (or 13.4% equivalent for those on rates including commission), and a total increase in hourly pay over the course of the agreement of 20.1%.
All other staff receive an increase of 4.5% initially with a further 4% from April 2016.
Some changes to terms and conditions were agreed as part of the discussions.
Both sides will be recommending this agreement to their respective memberships.”
SOLT is the organisation that represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the major commercial and grant-aided theatres in central London. In addition to its long-running work in industrial relations, legal advice and campaigning it also runs the Olivier Awards with MasterCard, Theatre Tokens, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and this website. As a major supporter of London theatre, all profits made through SOLT’s work is ploughed back into the industry, aiding audience development schemes and theatre-related charitable activities.