Yes you can try and justify knocking off crew catering from that budget by saying that you dont have to feed your staff when they come to work each day, they bring their own and or go hungry, its their choice. That is all fine and well, but the choice is the question here. Does your staff start their day at 05h00 in the morning and work through in excess of 16 - 32 hour shifts with no sleep? and this on a regular basis, sometimes back to back. Does your staff do manual labour that constitutes carrying and lifting weight in excess of a minimum of 80 kgs through to power dollies, meat racks, cable mut boxes which weigh in at a hefty 200 to 300 kgs? Does your staff get shown a tap when they ask for water in the sweltering heat and outdoor sunshine of up to 30 degrees. Does your staff offload, set up and load out all in one day and then still unload the trucks back at the yard? Does your staff have acces to clean, flushing toilets? Well they are lucky. Does your staff get paid pittance for working every weekend, every public holiday and still smile and give everything they have to make your event the success that you expect. Remember its about these people who make things happen. Without the crew you have no show. With tired crew you open yourselves up to errors in show and injuries on load outs - so dont jeoperdise your show. The health and safety of the crew working on your event is your problem!
