Boston-area film fans should take note of the Kendall Square Cinema staff’s attempt to unionize this month. On July 30, the floor staff of the cinema will vote to become part of UFCW Local 791. If successful, this will be the first unionized theatre staff in the Landmark Theatre chain and possibly, in the country.
The decision to petition for union representation came as a result of recent management changes, a wage freeze and general lack of benefits for employees. Landmark does not offer full time status to most of its regular local employees, some of whom work, on average, between thirty-five and forty hours per week. The starting wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since the fall of 2002 at the Kendall Square location. Since that time, merit raises and reviews have been sporadic at best. Many of these employees work multiple jobs to make ends meet and rely on state-funded healthcare programs.’
‘People work at this theatre because they support independent films. It is disturbing that complaints about recent operational changes by not only the staff, but loyal patrons, have been met with apathy, bordering on contempt by upper management,’ explains former, longtime assistant manager Nancy Campbell. ‘There is a growing disparity between the original mission statement of the company and the behavior it currently exhibits.’ ‘
Since its inception in 1974, Los Angeles-based Landmark Theatre Corporation has been the nation’s largest chain specializing in the exhibition of independent and foreign films. It has prided itself on exhibiting controversial fare such as FAHRENHEIT 9/11, THE CORPORATION, ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, and HAPPINESS. Landmark was acquired by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner’s 2929 Entertainment in 2003. 2929 Entertainment also owns Rysher Pictures and Magnolia Pictures Distribution and holds interests in Lion’s Gate Films, HDNet and HDNet Films.’
UFCW Local 791 is one of 900 affiliates of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, representing over 1.4 million members worldwide. Local 791 represents 6700 supermarket and warehouse workers in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island.