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 A leaked document shows the BBC is planning to introduce a system of uniform rates for freelancers right across the corporation, standardising rates of pay for craft freelancers across all departments. A new central purchasing unit will then supply these departments with freelance staff.
A confidential email intended to explain the new scheme to producers was leaked to Broadcast magazine and it says the new pay system, already in use within Factual and Learning Department (F&L) will be rolled out across all departments by November. After this, a new centralised purchasing unit dealing with freelancers is to be unveiled. This unit will also supply information to employing departments on the rates to be paid for each job.
INNOVATION REVIEW
The decision to set and centralise rates was a result of the production innovation programme review carried out last year by F&L – this also included the controversial “creative desktop” project - that F&L undertook last year to establish how it could make savings across its craft base.
The BBC added that the set rates had also been designed to reflect that some of the fees paid didn’t take into account the complexity of work undertaken by some freelancers. Standardised rates have now been prepared for craft areas including shooting, post-production, studios, OBs, design and costume. The document says rates have been set at a maximum, enabling production teams to negotiate downwards.
NEW TALENT LOW RATE
To encourage new talent, a new low daily rate of £250 for camera operators is being introduced for magazine programmes. The recommended daily rate for sound people with kit through F&L’s chosen wet hire facility is £250, with a ceiling of £275.
The rates comply with Pact and Bectu's guidelines for payment of freelancers, but the revelation has created alarm within the BBC freelancer community. Many believe the move will encourage departments to use less experienced craft freelancers, threatening programme quality.
BBC MUSCLE
One freelance lighting cameraman said, “The feeling is that the BBC is using its muscle to set rates with no real regard to the people doing the jobs. Cameramen fear programme standards will drop further than they are. Freelancers continuing to work for the BBC face doing so at a lower rate.”
MANAGING BEST PRACTICE
BBC factual and learning said: “Setting rates is not only about reducing negotiation time. The major benefit to F&L is managing best practice across our business. Individual programme areas have always had local rates, we’re merely attempting to spread the benefit of these across a wider area.”
Rates are being set round a “best practice” maximum day rate (based on a 12-hour day from base). A senior editor working on a high-budget formatted actuality show would be offered a maximum day rate of £260 per day.
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