Cineworld staff from across the UK – including here on the Isle of Wight – have formed a group of 800 workers and last night sent an open letter to CEO Mooky Greidinger calling for immediate reinstatement.
Cineworld Action Group formed on Wednesday (18th March 2020) following the decision to close all Cineworld and Picturehouse sites across the UK in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The group has formed to fight for fair pay for the duration of any closure and represents workers across all regions.
On Thursday, Cineworld and Picturehouse made mass redundancies and cut pay for all retained staff by 60% – there was no consultation made and staff were informed via a scripted phone call. This devastating decision left many employees wondering how they will afford essentials such as housing, electricity, gas and food in the coming weeks and months.
The Cineworld Action Group, who is supported by Bectu and other trade unions, sent an open letter to CEO Mooky Greidinger yesterday. Their letter, which has been signed by 300+ workers, calls on Mr Greidinger to treat all staff with dignity and respect during the period of closure by entering into negotiations with staff to protect their income while this global crisis unfolds.
Yesterday evening, measures were announced by the government to help protect people’s wages up to a total of £2,500 a month. The group state that these funds would help to protect their jobs and the business itself saying:
“We have stood by Cineworld and it is now up to [Cineworld] to stand by us”.
Last year, the cinema chain reported an adjusted profit after tax of £293million for 2018.
Head of Bectu, Phillipa Childs, said:
“To let people go at a time like this when they have no other possibility of getting a job will only further add to their anguish in the current climate. This is not the time to take advantage of the situation and prepare for turning a profit once things start to improve.”
Cineworld say they are currently reviewing the situation in light of yesterday’s announcement by the Government and are exploring whether or not there are various choices.
The CEO of Cineworld group earned £2,756,000 last year. How about rewarding those who contributed to his annual earnings; its employees?
please don’t use the word ‘earned’. he was paid, which to my mind is a long way from earning it.
Why is the Isle of Wight music festival still going ahead of this corona virus , when pups & restaurants are closed
Because it’s money and this country is one of the worst for aggressive capitalism (words quoted from a financier…aggressive capitalism) Dont worry though, Bob will sort it out…….NOT
How disgusting, treating all his employees like this. The CEO was obviously not prepared to retain his staff while all his and all other cinemas have had to close due to CVirus. Now the government are prepared to pay 80% of worker’s wages, hopefully he will Rethink his decision.