SOHO FACILITIES UNDER REDUNDANCY THREAT

THE post production and new media sectors have been threatened by redundancies.
According to BECTU hundreds of jobs in dozens of smaller companies have been threatened - Soho in London bears the brunt with jobs going in VideoLondon, Rushes, Soho 601, SVC and M2.
Camden-based post production facility Red Pepper has been forced into liquidation by a combination of factors which threaten all small-scale businesses.
Belt-tightening by broadcasters and the resulting drop in turnover means that any passing stroke of bad luck becomes a potential catastrophe for such companies.
It is not just the smaller companies who are shedding staff - 4MC, part of Liberty Media, have started implementing redundancies.
As BECTU provides advice to redundant and anxious workers many fear this is the beginning of a deeper downturn in the industry.
But the big picture is the essentially cyclical character of economic activity.
BECTU are holding special all-day surgeries at the union's Soho centre at 111 Wardour Street with private advice on redundancy rights from union officials. (CD)