Shattuck Cinema Workers Rally on Saturday July 22
Submitted on Tue, 07/18/2006 - 4:32am
Shattuck Workers Rally on Saturday July 22 at 2pm at Shattuck Cinemas, 2230 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.
Shattuck Cinema workers voted 22-2 to authorize union representation on June 16. Contract talks are set to begin Thursday, July 20th. Over the course of the union campaign Shattuck Cinema workers have received support from the local community which they know is essential to pressure Landmark Cinemas, which owns the the Shattuck, toward open and honest negotiations.
Amongst the workers demands are: paid sick days, health benefits, a chair for the ticket takers, and a living wage. Currently, the starting wage at the Shattuck is a mere $7.25 and hour, while the City of Berkeley's official living wage is $11.04 an hour. Most employees do not earn more than $8.00 an hour regardless of years of service or job performance. The company prefers what they call "Merit Raises". Annual Raises amounted from a $.03 to $.06 an hour increase for most employees last year.
Landmark has a history of attempting to stall or delay the negotiations process. Only last year a theater in Cambridge, Mass. voted to unionize and have still not agreed to a contract with Landmark. Workers at the Shattuck fear the company will attempt the same delaying tactic here. Support from the community, customers and fellow workers, is necessary to let the company know the power and support the workers have here in Berkeley.
The workers are holding a rally on, Saturday, July 22 as a show of support and to build interest in this campaign. The rally takes place in front of the theatre at 2pm. Featuring songs, speakers and surprises. The community is invited to come out and participate and demand that Landmark Corporation respect the workers union and bargain now.
- Contact: Harjit Gill 415-374-571
- and/or: Jason Ramsey 510-712-1699