The BECTU broadcasting and entertainment union has begun taking its first concrete steps to organising workers in the growing VFX (visual effects) sector. Tougher working conditions in the sector have given the union an opportunity to organize these traditionally non-unionized workers. Two of the sector’s leading employers, the Moving Picture Company (MPC) and Framestore are being targeted for gaining formal union recognition in order to allow collective bargaining over terms and conditions of work.
VFX workers have a strong attachment to using and understanding advanced technology in their work and seeing their work as a vocation, they work in a highly motivated and dedicated manner. Consequently, they have been prepared to work long and unsocial hours to meet deadlines for visual effects required for television and film production. However, they now feel that they are being unfairly used and taken advantage of. Overtime being compelled and unpaid, breaks during working time being absent,
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