Industrial action warning for theatre chiefs

BOSSES at two of Edinburgh's biggest theatres have been warned that any attempt to "de-recognise" a trade union will lead to strike action.

The Festival City Theatres Trust, which runs the Festival Theatre and King's Theatre for the council, is terminating its existing house agreement with Bectu, the union for the film and theatre industry.

The trust today said it is working towards a "more flexible and modern" way of managing staff resources, and said allegations that it wants to de-recognise the union are "wholly untrue".

However, it is known that union leaders in Scotland have raised this concern, alongside allegations that pay increases are being withheld from lower-paid staff.

Bectu national supervisory official, Willy Donaghy, is visiting Edinburgh next week to take over the negotiations. He warned that

de-recognition would lead to "strike action, and closing the theatres".

John Stalker, chief executive of Festival City Theatres, said: "Negotiations will continue on Monday and I am optimistic that we will achieve an outcome appropriate for the needs of our business."