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Cinema staff are set to go on strike following a dispute over pay conditions.

Workers at the Ritzy, in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, voted for strike action this week after Picturehouse Cinemas refused to pay the London Living Wage - the recommended rate for people living in the capital.

Members of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) voted for strike action to raise wages from £7.24 per hour to £8.80.

Willy Donaghy, BECTU supervisory official, said: “A clear majority of our members at the cinema are determined to pursue their claim for the London Living Wage and it's time for management to review their position.

“We’ve invited the company to make an improved offer, however if this does not materialise then strike action will take place in the coming weeks.



“The Ritzy is a great cinema, on so many levels, and staff there certainly have the support of the local community. The community understands that a wage which is not tied to the London Living Wage, in a location where staff face all the added costs of living in the capital, is a poverty wage.”

Cinema director Ken Loach has also lent his support to cinema staff and posted an open letter on the campaign’s blog.

The Kes director said: “Everyone has the right to a living wage. It is sad and shocking that the Ritzy Cinema, which has an image of being radical and progressive, should fail to do this.

“It is hypocritical to sell fair trade coffee and then not pay a fair wage. Come on, Picturehouse management, don’t ask the people who work for you to subsidise your business.”

There are currently 103 members of staff employed at the cinema, with 77 members of staff expected to strike.

Picturehouse Cinemas said they originally offered a wage increase of 21.5 per cent, but this was rejected by BECTU.

Lyn Goleby, managing director, said: “We are working towards a position where we can offer higher pay but at this point, we cannot do so without risking job losses across the wider Picturehouse group.

“We will continue to work with BECTU to try to resolve the issue quickly and we hope that our customers will bear with us while this process comes to a conclusion."