The “Fast Food Rights” campaign, launched at a meeting on 8 January and involving the Bakers, Food, and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), plans a day of direct action on Saturday 15 February.
For more information, see here.
Curzon Cinema workers win union recognition fight
Workers at the Curzon cinema chain have won their battle for union recognition.
Curzon bosses signed an agreement with the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) on Monday 13 January which means the company will have to bargain collectively with its employees on issues of pay, terms, and conditions.
A long-running campaign, which included petitioning, leafleting, and demonstrations outside Curzon cinemas, demanded union recognition and a living wage for staff. Workers are hopeful that, with the demand for union recognition now won, negotiations towards pay increases to living wage levels can now begin.
Workers at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, south London, are also campaigning for living wages. The Ritzy’s parent company, Picturehouse, was recently bought out by the giant Cineworld chain. It was one of Picturehouse’s highest-grossing outlets. A campaign leaflet said: [Ritzy] pitches itself as an ethical enterprise, hosting the Human Rights Film Festival, selling fair trade chocolate, and supporting charities, while not paying a living wage to their staff.”
BECTU members at the Ritzy first struck for living wages in 2007.
Support the 3 Cosas strike fund!
The “3 Cosas” campaign of outsourced cleaning, catering, and security workers at the University of London is appealing for funds to help finance its next strike, on 27, 28, and 29 January.
The strike aims to win equal pension, holiday pay, and sick pay provision for outsourced staff. A November strike won significant concessions on sick pay and holiday pay, and the workers’ union, the Independent Workers union of Great Britain (IWGB) are determined to push for full equality. As a small union with few resources, strike funds are essential to allow the IWGB’s University of London branch to take sustained action that their mainly low-paid membership would otherwise be unable to.
For information on how to donate to the strike fund, visit the “3 Cosas” website.
3 Cosas activists are planning a speaker tour around labour movement organisations to spread the experiences of their dispute. Could your union branch host them? Email Dan Cooper.
