Cineworld staff are calling for their incomes to be protected after the chain closed all its outlets due to the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes after claims certain staff were told they’d be made redundant and other retained employees told they would need to take a 60% pay cut by the chain, which has outlets across the North East.
An action group, which represents around 800 employees, has been set up and has written to the firm’s chief executive asking for all staff to be treated with dignity and respect during the period of closure.
The group, which is supported by Bectu and other trade unions, wants the firm that also owns the Picturehouse chain, to enter negotiations with staff to protect their incomes during the Covid-19 crisis.
A spokesman for the action group said: “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 move comes after the Government announced measures to protect the wages of employees by up to £2,500 a month, which are funds the group say could provide a lifeline.
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.”
A spokesperson for Cineworld said: “Like other businesses in the retail and leisure industry we are facing an incredibly challenging time as a consequence of the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Following the announcement by the Government around the support they are now offering the leisure industry, including cinemas and their employees, we have written to our employees to let them know that we are currently reviewing this and exploring whether there are alternative options.”
