Today we will try and answer “Why should I join Bectu?”

The ‘gig economy’ has been sold by the last two conservative governments as being a major part of the UK economic landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that for the most this has been empty words. What has been made clear is how interconnected the live events industry is and how it needs a collective voice to speak out on its behalf.

The Live Events Network is helping to make that voice as loud as possible. Since March 2020 the Bectu negotiators and lobbyists have been continually fighting at government level to secure funds and support, such as SEISS and furlough, for its members and the benefit of the wider industry. The Live Events Network has been pushing nationally for better and more inclusive financial help for all sectors of live events and has also been working with devolved governments to advise on local funding as well.

With your membership we have a louder voice. The more people in live events we formally represent the more we will be engaged with and listened to by the Government. 

On a personal level as a member Bectu will provide you with many benefits. A selection of these are:

-Protection at work: 

Bectu can help negotiate fair rates of pay and Terms and Conditions with employers. Our reps will be happy to work with employers to provide coherent and industry standard H&S practices. Bectu is an active supporter of diversity, inclusivity and equality and can help improve company policy in these areas in all workplaces.

-Career development: 

Live Events Network is working with manufacturers, software producers and production companies to provide high quality training in all aspects of live events both to cope with the current restrictions and for moving into a post COVID scenario.

-Huge discounts on Public Liability Insurance:

Brokered by Hencilla, Bectu offers a standard PLI policy for £10m at an amazing £40 per year (as long as your membership is still active). Alongside this basic level, Hencilla offer many specific ‘bolt ons’ so you can tailor your PLI requirements to be specific to your role in live events.

PLI link here: https://members.bectu.org.uk/advice-resources/library/2591

-Legal advice, tax and business support:

Bectu provides free legal services for members for any business related issues. Bectu has a dedicated team of solicitors to advise and if required, act on behalf of our members to resolve contract or payment issues, among many other things.

-Active participation: 

Branches are run by an elected committee. They meet regularly and members are encouraged to get involved and be part of the team that works for the benefit of its members and the live events industry as a whole.

There’s more…

But the benefits of membership are also financial on a personal level. Through our parent Union Prospect we have access to Prospect Plus. 

https://www.prospectplus.net/a_/

This major discount scheme gives members access to a wide range of savings from many retailers and service providers.

Also our members have access to a 20% discount on the excellent Income Protection Plus scheme provided by PG Mutual which covers up to 70% of your income if you cannot work and gives you access to GPs 24/7.

Find out more here:

https://www.pgmutual.co.uk

Personally and Professionally we feel there are a number of excellent benefits to joining the Bectu and being part of the Live Events Network. Join us for £10 (unless you want the Comeback rate because you aren’t working in which case you join for £10 and then ask to go down to £5 after the first month).

Join link here https://bectu.org.uk/join/

We would be happy to chat on an informal one to one basis with anyone who would like some more information. 

If you do join please note on the form that you work in live events so you can be placed in the correct branch. Any problems questions or issues please contact us here (email). 

To learn more visit BECTU website.