Boycott Picturehouse?

[Loz]

uptheworkers! Wrote:

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> Why did I use the phrase? Because there's quite a few ill-informed comments on here about this

> issue. People have a responsibility to educate themselves before commenting, really

"Ill-informed" - people who have the temerity to have an opinion differing from yours.

I think I'll sound out the the PONCEY SELF-INDULGENT SELF-OPINIONATED STUPID 'EDUCATE YOURSELF' COMMENT KLAXON every time someone uses it. Should be fun.

[titch juicy]

Fellbrigg Josh Wrote:

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> "Educate yourself" is socialist for "stop having

> your own opinion and take mine instead".

>

> As I stated earlier, if you are so unhappy with

> your job, please, feel free to message me, and we

> can arrange a meeting with your supervisor. We can

> swap, you can be unemployed and I can take your

> job.

Here you go Josh, there's some current cinema job vacancies in London on here.

let us know how you get on and best of luck :)

http://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/jobs/administration

[Abe_froeman]

How do the Picture House wages and hours compare to jobs in the other bars and restaurants on Lordship Lane?

[edphstaff]

I don't know in much detail to be honest.

The London Living Wage is what we think should be the minimum pay to anyone in London. It's calculated as what you need to live a decent life here. We think it should be the starting point and any harder or more demanding work etc after that should be paid more above this rate.

The idea that someone gets paid less than you for doing something similar isn't really interesting to us. If someone gets paid ?6.50 an hour we think that's unfair. We don't believe that justifying one inequality based on another is a compelling argument.

[JoeLeg]

edphstaff Wrote:

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>

> The London Living Wage is what we think should be

> the minimum pay to anyone in London. It's

> calculated as what you need to live a decent life

> here. We think it should be the starting point and

> any harder or more demanding work etc after that

> should be paid more above this rate.

While I entirely agree with the principle behind this statement, the fact is the there are many businesses which would have to either raise prices or find economies in order to afford LLW. The spread of the living was will occur when a cultural shift occurs and people are willing to pay higher prices.

As has been pointed out many times in various parts of the media, there are other countries around the world where service charge does not exist and all prices are factored into menu items. People have been fine with this and it creates an equitable system, and there's no reason it can't be extended to other industries such as your own, as well as everyone else.

All it requires is for us all to recognise the true cost of things.

[Jeremy]

edphstaff Wrote:

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> The idea that someone gets paid less than you for

> doing something similar isn't really interesting

> to us.

Yes, but surely it might be interesting to a customer when deciding whether to boycott a business?

[uptheworkers!]

Fellbrigg Josh Wrote:

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> "Educate yourself" is socialist for "stop having

> your own opinion and take mine instead".

>

> As I stated earlier, if you are so unhappy with

> your job, please, feel free to message me, and we

> can arrange a meeting with your supervisor. We can

> swap, you can be unemployed and I can take your

> job.

Err, I don't work there.

[uptheworkers!]

JoeLeg Wrote:

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> the fact is the there are many

> businesses which would have to either raise prices

> or find economies in order to afford LLW.

Or make less profits, in the case of Picturehouse / Cineworld

[Beej]

JoeLeg Wrote:

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> Peckham Plex surely has lower operating costs

> though. I think Curzon is a better comparison; I

> strongly doubt Plex spends the same on all the

> bells and whistles of PH.

What bells and what whistles? Last two times I went to the EPH their damn ticket machine was STILL on the blink, and I missed the start of my film queueing for a veritable age. I'd pay them more than the London living if they fixed that irritant *rolls-eyes*

[Beej]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> edphstaff Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > The idea that someone gets paid less than you

> for

> > doing something similar isn't really

> interesting

> > to us.

>

> Yes, but surely it might be interesting to a

> customer when deciding whether to boycott a

> business?

No. At least it shouldn't be. It's a lazy and unintelligent argument.

[Penguin68]

One of the problems about 'living wages' is that the wage economy was fatally distorted by Gordon Brown when he introduced tax credits and support to the low waged - clearly at one level a 'good thing' - but in fact allowing employers to pay less, knowing that their workers could make it up via government hand-outs - in effect from other tax payers. A proper market economy would mean that employers who offered too little wouldn't find employees at that rate - but 'make it up' via tax credits and suddenly you can offer less than living wage.

So we (if we are net tax payers) are subsidising the profits of companies that pay what otherwise would not be attractive (or even viable) wages.

[JohnL]

uptheworkers! Wrote:

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> JoeLeg Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > the fact is the there are many

> > businesses which would have to either raise

> prices

> > or find economies in order to afford LLW.

>

> Or make less profits, in the case of Picturehouse

> / Cineworld

there are gains too (OK from the living wage site)...

"Organisations that pay the Living Wage have reported significant improvements in quality of work, reductions in staff absence and turnover, and a stronger corporate reputation. "

http://www.livingwage.org.uk/why-pay-living-wage

[JoeLeg]

uptheworkers! Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> JoeLeg Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> > the fact is the there are many

> > businesses which would have to either raise

> prices

> > or find economies in order to afford LLW.

>

> Or make less profits, in the case of Picturehouse

> / Cineworld

Well yes, but again I would argue that it's worth working out exactly what the Picturehouse profits are. I'm sure no one here needs educating about "Hollywood accounting", and I'm sure Cineworls could use similar tricks to demonstrate that Picturehouse can't afford LLW.

It's the Picturehouse accounts that are needed; Cineworlds overall statement won't help here.

[Jeremy]

Beej Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jeremy Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> > Yes, but surely it might be interesting to a

> > customer when deciding whether to boycott a

> > business?

>

> No. At least it shouldn't be. It's a lazy and

> unintelligent argument.

I disagree, and would have been happy to discuss if your response wasn't so rude.

[Fellbrigg Josh]

titch juicy Wrote:

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> Fellbrigg Josh Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > "Educate yourself" is socialist for "stop

> having

> > your own opinion and take mine instead".

> >

> > As I stated earlier, if you are so unhappy with

> > your job, please, feel free to message me, and

> we

> > can arrange a meeting with your supervisor. We

> can

> > swap, you can be unemployed and I can take your

> > job.

>

> Here you go Josh, there's some current cinema job

> vacancies in London on here.

>

> let us know how you get on and best of luck :)

>

> http://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/jobs/adm

> inistration

No, my dear, you have fundamentally misinterpreted the situation. There may be many fantastic opportunities in the Courderoy Brigade Entertainment Industry, my offer was limited to the jobs clearly going under valued by whomever it is accessing this very public forum to very publicly attack their employer. Most, if not all companies would consider that a sackable offense, btw.

Not that I am saying I am perfect. I landed myself in this quagmire, through my own actions, and my own lack of respect for my employer. So now I am filled with a desire to crack on. So yes, I'll look at your link and I'll keep you up to date with my search. You never know what may turn up. And if I do get a job through your link, I see no reason why I cant sort you out some tickets and a drink :)

[edphstaff]

"whomever it is accessing this very public forum to very publicly attack their employer. Most, if not all companies would consider that a sackable offense, btw"

We are going on strike, it's hardly a surprise to our employer. We told them two weeks ago, as we are legally required to do.

We also get legal advice from our union and this is all absolutely fine.

thanks for your concern though

[Abe_froeman]

According to this the pay at ED picture house is ?9.65 an hour (based on ?9.05 an hour for an 8 hour shift which includes a 30 minute paid break), (that is 10p less than the london living wage) plus ?1 commission for every Membership sold or renewed and ?2 for every Member Plus Membership, plus an additional ?1.30 will be paid for every Membership sold to be shared amongst the team in each cinema and pro rata in line with hours worked in the same month as the bonus is calculated. Adding between 10p and 25p per hour for all front of house staff.

https://www.picturehouses.com/Contact#jobs

That is before all the other perks are added in and seems to me to be more than fair and a lot more than one might expect in any other cafe in SE22.

[Fellbrigg Josh]

edphstaff Wrote:

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> "whomever it is accessing this very public forum

> to very publicly attack their employer. Most, if

> not all companies would consider that a sackable

> offense, btw"

>

> We are going on strike, it's hardly a surprise to

> our employer. We told them two weeks ago, as we

> are legally required to do.

> We also get legal advice from our union and this

> is all absolutely fine.

>

> thanks for your concern though

As I have said more than once, I can replace you in your job just as soon as you are ready to arrange a meeting with your supervisor. You are going on strike because you are unhappy with your job. Put your money where your mouth is and give your notice.

Cineworld will be made aware of your actions here, which more than clearly meets the definition of Gross Negligence.

[edphstaff]

Again, you're justifying what we perceive to be one inequality based on another. Perhaps we will not be able to get passed this point.

Also, there is no provision for sick pay. What do you expect a member of staff to do if they are ill for three weeks and can't pay rent? Just not get sick?

What if they were to have a child? Or do people on zero-hour contacts, of which there are almost 1m in the UK, not deserve to have children?

[JoeLeg]

edphstaff Wrote:

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>

> Also, there is no provision for sick pay. What do

> you expect a member of staff to do if they are ill

> for three weeks and can't pay rent? Just not get

> sick?

Is it that PH do not provide sick pay over and above Statuatory Sick Pay? That in itself is a laughable pittance I admit. However I'm not much up on sick pay provision in current employment. Most people I know would be in a lot of trouble if they succumbed to long-term illness; I know the idea terrifies me as I'm the sole earner for our family, though I'm fortunate to have good bosses.

However, are you able to provide good comparisons of other company's whose policies are more akin to what you would like to see? Do Curzon have better cover?

>

> What if they were to have a child? Or do people on

> zero-hour contacts, of which there are almost 1m

> in the UK, not deserve to have children?

I'm afraid I would argue that if you're on a zero-hours contract having a child is not something you want to be doing. Of course no one deserves to be told that economically they are not a fit prospect for parenthood, but the reality is that if you're on a zero-hours contract and considering having kids, the job is the first thing you need to change.

For the record I consider zero-hours contracts to be immoral and think they should be outlawed, but I don't make the rules. I certainly will not myself employ anyone on one, and I have people with kids working for me.

Maybe a better way of putting it is "Do working people with kids not deserve guaranteed income?", because really that's the key issue.

[El Presidente]

Dear edphstaff

Will the cinema be open on Saturday? And what kind of turnout are you expecting?

[dbboy]

Jobs

Each cinema recruits its own front-of-house staff (front-of-house assistants, supervisors, duty managers, bar and catering staff). If you are interested in being considered for one of these positions please send your CV to [email protected] with the name of the venue you are applying to.

Front-Of-House Staff Pay Rates

Outside London: Work time pay rate ?8.72 (based on ?8.18 an hour for an 8 hour shift which includes a 30 minute paid break) plus ?2 commission for every Membership sold or renewed and ?4 for every Member Plus Membership.

Plus ? Shared Bonus Scheme: An additional ?1.00 will be paid for every Membership sold to be shared amongst the team in each cinema and pro rata in line with hours worked in the same month as the bonus is calculated. Adding between 10p and 25p per hour for all front of house staff.

London: Work time pay rate ?9.65 (based on ?9.05 an hour for an 8 hour shift which includes a 30 minute paid break) plus ?1 commission for every Membership sold or renewed and ?2 for every Member Plus Membership.

Plus ? Shared Bonus Scheme: An additional ?1.30 will be paid for every Membership sold to be shared amongst the team in each cinema and pro rata in line with hours worked in the same month as the bonus is calculated. Adding between 10p and 25p per hour for all front of house staff.

There is a separate pay agreement at The Ritzy in Brixton, where front-of-house staff are paid a flat rate of ?9.10 an hour.

All breaks are fully paid at the hourly rate.

Staff are paid monthly directly into their bank accounts and receive their payslips by email. It is therefore a requirement that all new staff have an email account and bank account.

Late Night Allowance

If you work past midnight, you will get a payment of ?6.45 OR if you work after 1am, you will get a payment of ?11.80 OR if you work after 2am, you will get a payment of ?16.50 OR if you work after 4am, you will get a payment of ?25.00.

Sick Pay, Holiday, Pension, Maternity and Paternity

Sick Pay

All cinema staff who have one year?s service receive company sick pay. This tops up your Statutory Sick Pay to match your average earnings after a week?s absence. All managers and head office staff who have passed their probation receive company sick pay up to a maximum of four weeks a year.

Holiday Pay

All staff receive four weeks' holiday pay, plus an allowance for public holidays. Managers and head office staff receive an additional week after five years? service, and a further week after ten years? service.

Pension Contributions

Like all employers, the company makes pension contributions for all staff (unless you opt out). All staff can choose to increase their contributions after two years, and the company will increase its contributions.

Picturehouse pay statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay.

Other Perks

Unlimited free tickets at Picturehouse: You can see any film or event for free at any Picturehouse Cinema provided there are seats available at the last minute.

Two guest tickets a week: Once a week, all staff who have passed their probation can also bring two guests to any film or event at Picturehouse Cinemas for free, subject to availability.

Kiosk snacks: You can have free hot drinks, post-mix soft drinks and popcorn on each visit to the cinema.

Unlimited free tickets at Cineworld: You can have one free ticket to any screening at any Cineworld cinema, subject to availability.

Free hot drinks and draught soft drinks: When you are working you can have as much free tea, coffee and post-mix soft drinks as you like.

Picturehouse food and drink discounts: You and a guest can claim 30% off food and drink at Picturehouse Cinemas, including on your days off.

Cineworld food and drink discounts: You can claim 10% off food and drink at Cineworld cinemas, including from Starbucks in their cinemas.

Staff food: Low-cost staff food is generally available during off-peak times at cinemas with kitchens when you are working.

Picturehouse Members? Discounts: Picturehouse employees also enjoy the same national and local partner benefits that Picturehouse Members can claim, including discounts at GBK, Giraffe, MUBI, Little White Lies, Shooting People and Lily Charmed.

Eye tests: If you use a computer or tills at work, we can provide vouchers so that you can have a free eye test.

Childcare vouchers: You can choose to have part of your salary paid in childcare vouchers and thereby save on tax.

Life assurance scheme: All managers and head office staff who increase their pension contributions will be automatically included in the life assurance scheme, which pays a lump sum of four times your salary to your dependents if you die.

Income protection scheme: All managers and head office staff who increase their pension contributions will be automatically included in the income protection scheme, which provides for payments if you are off work with an illness that lasts more than 13 weeks (up to retirement age).

Cineworld shares: All Picturehouse staff can opt to participate in Cineworld?s ShareSave schemes, through which you can save an amount from your pay each week to buy shares at a discounted rate after three years.

[edphstaff]

Dbboy: It's telling that under the heading of "Sick Pay, Holiday, Pension, Maternity and Paternity " you've copied and pasted there is no mention of Maternity and Paternity pay. As I've said before sick pay only applies to those that have worked at the company for more than a year (about five members of front of house at our site)and unfortunately people sometimes get sick before 12 months in their new job has passed.

JoeLeg: I completely agree with you about zero-hour contracts and think anyone who has a job should be able to afford to raise a family. On that reason alone would you not support our strike?

El Presidente:

The cinema will be open as normal until 1pm when we walk out. In terms of turnout on the day, only time will tell but no more than 50 people I'd say.

Beyond that we are not sure if the cinema will remain open. Other sites in the past have shut down their cinema and some have remained open. As our site is quite small this would be easy to do with say three managers opposed to the strike and the strike breakers PH have been hiring only to cover strikes over the last few months.

If the cinema does remain open we ask supportive members of the public not to cross the picket line for the rest of the day and if they've already purchased tickets to ask for a refund

[dbboy]

When you took the job you were aware of the conditions of employment as were your colleagues. To be blunt, if you did not agree with them then perhaps employment with an employer who meets your employment expectations may have been an alternative.

As has been said before, if you are that unhappy you have the choice of taking your labour elsewhere. It is not head office who you are indirectly affecting but those around you, the local management who have to contend with your strike actions and those who wish to use the cinema, i.e. the paying customers.

Yes you are impacting on the cinemas ability to function when you strike and as you have said yourself they could close the cinema, who wins then, No one. What is needed is compromise on both sides, perhaps rather than striking you may consider approaching management and see how a compromise can be reached.

[Jeremy]

Please close your bold tag, edphstaff!!