We are a branch of BECTU, the Broadcasting, Entertainment Communications, and Theatre Union. We represent everyone working in and around Live Events in London. Our union is led by its members and represented by the Branch Committee. We are also part of the Bectu Live Events Network Subdivision within the Bectu Art & Entertainment Division.
Our branch was created in 2023 as an amalgamation of the first live events union branches ever formed in the UK – the London Union of Crew (LUC) and the London Union of Venue Technicians (LUVT) as well as the more recently created London Live Events branch.
LUVT formed in 2017 after some of us had started meeting and sharing our working experience and the issues we encountered. We then unanimously decided that forming a union was the best way to protect our rights as workers and to start building a community. LUVT is the first ever UK union branch exclusively dedicated to venue technicians and the pilot branch of Bectu Live Events Network. LUVT continues to operate as a working group, London Live Events Technicians [LLET] (Working Group)
LUC was established in 2019 after growing sentiment in our Industry that conditions and pay were not appropriate. After initial meetings where a committee was elected, we established an official branch in BECTU which has rapidly grown to hundreds of members since. We are the first and only union branch in the UK specifically for events crew. Our committee all have years of experience as crew in events, and are determined to improve the industry we all love.
As part of our branch structure, we have working groups set up to focus our efforts in key areas of concern.
Our working group for technical staff and freelancers.
Our working group for crew.
Aims:
- Promote an inclusive and supportive workplace for the benefit of all those working in all departments, roles and locations for our members and colleagues
- fair rates of pay for freelance workers and staff throughout London’s live events sector
- fair terms & conditions (cancellation fee, breaks, minimum call, etc.) – to be established where non exist and protected where the do
- good health and safety practices across the sector
- negotiation of working agreements with employers and engagers
- improvement of equality, inclusivity and diversity in venues
- more professional development opportunities for members through training and networking
Events and Training:
Through the efforts of our Branch members we have the opportunity to attend industry recognised training (Avolites, Capture, JET 7909, and more) at discounted rates, as well as webinars on tax for freelancers, business advice, mental health, skills-sharing and retraining. Our reps organise regular Women in Live Events panels, networking events and shadowing opportunities for new entrants.
Future Goals:
We keep fighting for better representation and working conditions for our members and we want to collaborate with venues to make our industry a fairer and more equal working environment. We are as strong as our members and we welcome anyone that works in London’s venues to join us and contribute with ideas and feedback.
We have been busy researching for a data driven push towards achieving some of our aims. So far we have produced:
- Rates Guidance for technical staff
- We surveyed technicians on their views on Hours
- Ongoing consultations can be found here
Members and non-members we would like to hear from you! Contact the branch directly via email at londonliveeventsnetwork@gmail.com and subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates about our campaigns, actions, research consultations and meetings.