RPI increase at Cineworld

Projectionists at cinema chain Cineworld are set to receive increased bonuses as part of an inflation-based settlement negotiated with entertainment union BECTU.

The deal, which will be backdated to 1 October, will raise salaries by the September retail prices index figure of 3.9%. Projection staff will also get a payment worth 0.5% of salary on top of their annual bonus.

BECTU negotiators have also agreed to a management request to consider working towards a system of performance-related pay in next year’s pay award.

The deal was reached at the beginning of this month and has been put to a ballot of BECTU members, with a recommendation to accept. The deadline for responses has been extended until 26 October so that the result is not affected by the recent Royal Mail strikes.

• BECTU has also reached agreement on a 5.5% increase in rates for film artistes, starting next month.

Under the deal with the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), any production starting on or after 1 November will pay £75.80 for a basic eight-hour day.