Trainees low pay ended

Bush News Trainee Studio Managers low pay has been ended.

Many of Bush News Studio Managers thought there must be some mistake when the rumour began to circulate about the new trainees' salaries.

The reported £8,000 per annum was even below the minimum wage, if London weighting was not included.

When it was confirmed that this was indeed the correct amount, BECTU took action by pointing out to management that, under a national agreement with the BBC, no one should be paid less than the floor of band 1 (i.e. £12,220 on days conditions; £11,800 on hours).

Management tried to justify the £8,000/year salary by saying the national agreement did not apply to trainees. BECTU reminded management that this was not the case and demanded that the trainees be paid at least at the minimum, nationally agreed, rate.

At the beginning of November, management announced that the trainees' salary had been increased to £14,000/year; in addition, the increase was back-dated to when the trainees started.

An outcome whose success (despite management denials) can be laid at BECTU's door.