BECTU Members at Picturehouse cinemas took further strike action 4 and 5 August 2017

BECTU Members at Picturehouse cinemas took further strike action 4 and 5 August 2017

Save the Date – 17 October 2017 ‘Britain Still Needs a Pay Rise’ and ‘End the Public Sector Pay Cap’ TUC Lobby of Parliament (14.00-16.00) and Rally in Parliament Square (16.30-18.00) https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/rally-and-lobby-parliament-fair-pay-public-servants

BECTU members working at Picturehouse cinemas in Brixton, Hackney, Crouch End, Piccadilly, East Dulwich, and Duke of York’s Cinema in Brighton have taken strike action in recent months as part of a growing campaign for the (London) Living Wage, sick pay, maternity pay and union recognition. More than 50 strikes have been held since September 2016. 

BECTU members took further strike action taken on 4 and 5 August 2017 at the Ritzy, Picturehouse Central, Hackney, East Dulwich and Crouch End.

It is expected that BECTU will re-ballot members at all five sites during August to renew the mandate for further industrial action.

Management had agreed to pay the London Living Wage to staff at the Ritzy cinema in Brixton as part of a settlement to a previous dispute, but revoked that agreement.

Three union activists were recently dismissed by Picturehouse and BECTU has announced that it will challenge those dismissals at Employment Tribunals.https://www.bectu.org.uk/news/2723

BECTU has succeeded in recruiting new members at other cinemas in the Picturehouse chain, and the campaign for the London Living Wage in London, and the Living Wage outside of London has broadened and intensified.

BECTU reports that Picturehouse has repeatedly challenged the orderly behaviour of union pickets and members of the public, who are supporting striking workers, seemingly in an attempt to discourage picketing.

SERTUC has visited these BECTU picket lines on strike days many times to offer our solidarity, and it is important that trade union members and communities continue to support these trade union members in their struggle for fair pay through organised trade unionism.

Please:

·         stay alert for further information about the dispute: see www.bectu.orrg.uk

·         See https://www.facebook.com/pg/RitzyLivingWage/community/

·         Sign the Going to Work on line petition https://campaign.goingtowork.org.uk/petitions/picturehouse-cinemas-pay-your-staff-a-living-wage

·         Urge your MP to sign the Early Day Motion https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2016-17/1000

·         The campaign by union members at Picturehouse has secured substantial support, both local and national.  Please help them in their fight by donating to their strike fund. 

·         Tweet @RitzyLivingWage

Save the Date – 1 October 2017

People’s Assembly National Demonstration, Manchester: “No More Austerity – Scrap the Pay Cap

http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/manchester2

Save the Date – 12 October 2017

Britain Deserves a Pay Rise and End the Cap Now, London Demonstration

https://twitter.com/nutlondonoffice?lang=en                 #endthepaycap

Save the Date – 17 October 2017

Britain Still Needs a Pay Rise and End the public Sector Cap, Lobby of Parliament and Rally

https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/rally-and-lobby-parliament-fair-pay-public-servants

Laurie Heselden

Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer

TUC – London, South East and East of England

T: 0207 467 1292 (DL) and 0207 467 1220 (Darren Lewis/Joanne Williams - Office Administrators)

m: 0781 800 2877        e: lheselden@tuc.org.uk        @TUCLaurieHeseld        www.tuc.org.uk/sertuc