Operatic pay agreement is music to BECTU's ears

Overwhelming support among entertainment union BECTU’s members at English National Opera (ENO) has resulted a new three-year pay deal.

In the first year of the settlement, which is backdated to 1 August 2005, technical, backstage and front-of-house staff staff will receive a 3% pay rise plus an increase of £50 in the employer’s annual pension contributions.

The second year will see a pay increase worth the retail prices index (RPI) plus 1%, while year three will deliver the RPI plus 0.5%.

BECTU supervisory official Willy Donaghy described the agreement as “a testament to the unity of our members at ENO”, 95% of whom had earlier voted in favour of strike action in pursuit of a realistic offer.

The new deal was accepted by two-thirds of members in a ballot. The union’s original demand had been for a 5% rise.

“The offer includes pay increases in real terms for each of the next three years,” said Donaghy. “Against the background of this new-found stability for our members, we look forward to a considerable improvement in our industrial relations with the ENO”