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From The Socialist newspaper, 8 November 2017
Picturehouse strike: "evil corporations are evil"
Picturehouse strikers and supporters, Central London, 25.2.17, photo Clare Doyle (Click to enlarge)
Hackney Picturehouse was on strike alongside Crouch End, Ritzy, Dulwich, and Central on Monday 6 November for the London Living Wage, sick and maternity pay and trade union recognition. The dispute has now lasted over a year with the number of strike days adding up to at least one month.
During the strike eight workers have been sacked, including five reps. Little wonder then that one worker commented "evil corporations are evil". Last year Cineworld, the parent company, made over £93 million profit.
According to pickets Picturehouse has not replaced anyone who has recently left - putting more workload on those left behind.
They have done this partly to stop new starters joining the union as an attempt to weaken the union.
One new development which could completely expose Picturehouse to ridicule and embarrassment is that the previously stooge Staff Forum has rebelled, with a Bectu union rep elected as president.
There will now be elections in December for all the executive committee positions and if union supporters win most of these, this would remove the fig leaf that management have been using to prevent trade union recognition, and accepting the workers' demands.
Brian Debus, Hackney Socialist Party
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In The Socialist 8 November 2017:
What we think
'Paradise' for billionaires - austerity for us
Socialist Party news and analysis
Westminster sexual harassment scandal
Walk out against tuition fees!
Bosses say 217 years to close pay gap - workers' struggle can close it now!
Child poverty set to hit 5.2m - unions and Corbyn must act now
Workplace news and analysis
Pay cap decisively rejected by PCS union members
BA mixed-fleet workers show strikes get results
Unite union sector conferences: coordinate action over pay
Picturehouse strike: "evil corporations are evil"
International socialist news and analysis
US: Minneapolis Socialist chimes with voters
Ireland: rail workers demand share of 'recovery'
Ireland: dangerous ideas for the ruling class
Spain: Madrid rally celebrates October revolution
Sweden: 'Revolution2017' success
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Health campaign discusses strategy to save NHS
Chatsworth neuro-rehab ward still open - unions join the campaign
Housing campaigners ask Corbyn to instruct Labour council regeneration ballots
Thousands march in London for Palestine
Opposition to new academy school being built on Leeds playing fields
Orgreave campaigners' Halloween 'Death of Justice' march
Sheffield trees campaigner sentenced to prison
Brum meeting celebrates centenary of 1917
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Obituary: Derek Robinson, car workers' leader, 1927-2017
Welsh update of Chekhov an engrossing tale of 1980s class conflict
Obituary: Paul Randall, 1959-2017
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