A new survey from Bectu reveals just how deeply the US strikes have bitten into the UK screen industry.
A sobering new survey has laid bare just how dependent the UK screen industries are on outward investment from America. Bectu, the creative industry’s workers’ union has revealed that as it stands, three quarters of the UK’s film and television crews are out of work, with most having no income in sight until the ongoing labour disputes in America are resolved.
Furthermore, 80% of workers said they had been financially impacted in some way with eight out of ten of those surveyed stating they were worried about their financial security. Also concerning is that reveal that nine out of ten crew members said that the strikes had taken a negative toll on their mental health.
With no end yet in sight to the ongoing strikes, it’s a disturbing revelation that lays bare just how dependent our screen sector has become on investment from America. Should that change? That’s a conversation for a longer piece than this, but with a government review of the industry on the way, it’s sure to be a point raised by those whose income has been decimated by an industrial action that will in no way benefit them, no matter what the outcome may be.
Our thoughts go out to the hugely talented and hard working folks who are struggling and let’s hope that a resolution is reached sooner rather than later.
