A new Bectu branch has been set up by members, marking the first time that live events riggers have unionised as a group in the UK. The National Live Event Riggers branch will serve as a forum to address and discuss issues that concern riggers and the wider live events sector.
The branch has been created by riggers that run the Association of Live Events Riggers (ALER) Facebook page, and is for anyone who works predominantly in live events, with the exception of theatre and dance which are organised separately. An unprecedented number of live events riggers have joined Bectu in the past month, as live events workers have united in their efforts for change in the industry.
Once the committee is elected at the first members’ meeting, the branch will launch a survey to establish what riggers want to see improved at work and how issues can best be resolved.
If riggers would like to be part of a new and exciting branch that will represent their interests and campaign for fair working conditions, they can join Bectu and specify that they work in the live events sector, and select ‘rigger’ as their job title.
Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “The establishment of the National Live Events Riggers branch is an exciting step forward for our union. The branch guarantees more effective representation of riggers and will allow problems to be addressed much more effectively and quickly. I would like to thank all those involved for making this a possibility and urge riggers to sign up!”
The Association of Live Event Riggers said: “Rigging is an important discipline and an essential part of modern live events and shows. Riggers are required to install systems safely and swiftly with a high level of professionalism. What has become apparent is that there is a huge variance in the working conditions of riggers throughout the country. Post COVID-19 lockdown, we have seen a marked increase in workload throughout our industry which presents still further challenges and risks. The move to Unionising is a response to our concerns as we seek to address professionalism, standards and conditions. Historically we have been a fragmented community. We hope to unite us all.”
Riggers can join Bectu here: www.bectu.org.uk/join/
