The trade union representing workers at Brixton’s Ritzy cinema and others in the Picturehouse chain campaigning for a living wage, has condemned as intimidation the suspension of six of its representatives.
Gerry Morrissey, head of the BECTU section of the Prospect union, said the move was “an attempt by Picturehouse to intimidate our members in this long-running dispute”.
He said it was “appalling” that Picturehouse and its owner Cineworld would rather intimidate and threaten to sack staff than take part in talks. “This is clearly an attempt to break the union by undermining the strike and intimidating other workers,” he said.
Picturehouse claimed it was investigating “unlawful” activity.
BECTU members at four Picturehouse cinemas in the capital will be on strike this weekend (3–4 June) as they continue to demand to be paid the living wage.
The Brixton Ritzy, Hackney Picturehouse, Crouch End Picturehouse and Picturehouse Central in Shaftesbury Avenue will all be affected by the action, which gets under way from 4pm on Saturday 3 June and from 2pm on Sunday 4 June.
The strikes coincide with London’s Sundance Film Festival (1-4 June) which is being hosted by Picturehouse Central.
