Screen producers’ attack on workplace rights would damage film and television industry
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance will vigorously oppose an attempt by screen producers to remove a raft of basic workplace rights for actors and other workers in the film and television industries.
MEAA – the union for Australia’s performers and screen crew – has today appeared in the Fair Work Commission to ward off this new attack by the Screen Producers Australia on the hard-fought rights of Australian actors and crew.
SPA’s claims threaten a wide range of minimum employment standards in the Broadcasting and Recorded Entertainment Award (BREA) – the award that underpins wages and conditions across the industry
SPA’s most extreme claims are:
• Abolish loading rights for performers – leading to 50% income cuts;
• Reducing casual loadings from 25% to 20%;
• Restricting leave loading to employees with no less than 12 months’ continuous service;
• Increase the periods of work from five to six hours before a meal break must be taken;
• Reduce the span of hours in which penalty payments are due.
MEAA chief executive officer Paul Murphy said SPA’s claims were not supported by evidence and would damage the sector by making it more difficult to attract and retain a talented workforce.
MEAA has advised the FWC that it opposes all of SPA’s claims.
“Not only has no evidence been provided to support the claims, SPA misunderstands the history of awards and other agreements in the entertainment sector,” Murphy said.
“Whether by design or naivety, SPA’s claims to abolish and reduce a range of award provisions are immensely damaging and will not be supported.
“MEAA urges SPA to formally withdraw its harmful and irrational claims at the earliest opportunity.”
Screen producers’ attack on workplace rights would damage film and television industry
Last update: February 2, 2017
