Theater Staff Rallies For Public Support

Singing songs of solidarity and workers’ rights, more than 80 Shattuck Cinemas employees, union members and residents rallied Friday evening to draw community support for the employees as they attempt to unionize and renegotiate their contract with Landmark Theatres.

The rally, which took place outside the Shattuck Cinemas in Downtown Berkeley, marks workers’ latest attempt to promote their eight-month effort to gain an expanded health care plan, seniority privileges and excused sick days.

The Berkeley City Council voted to support the workers in February.

“We want the employees to get livable wages and benefits,” said Councilmember Dona Spring, whose district includes the theater. “(The company) does not need to treat its employees so shabbily, like they are third world workers.”

Bruce Valde, a union organizer who is working with the theater employees, said the purpose of the demonstration was not to hurt business, but instead to draw recognition to their efforts.

“This is a proactive move for us to continue to organize the community in support of what we are doing,” Valde said. “I do not consider this a protest. This is a community support rally.”

Landmark Theatres operates 56 theaters nationwide, including four in the East Bay. The chain specializes in art house and independent films.

Participants said timing the rally during a peak movie-going hour was intended to increase public awareness and sympathy for the employees.

Employees have held three rallies since July, which have led to two wage increases, according to Nick Hubbard, who runs a film projector at the theater.

Landmark Theatres representatives did not return phone calls or e-mails seeking comment.

Workers and representatives of Industrial Workers of the World, the union representing the employees, said Landmark Theatres increased wages for employees in order to satisfy their short-term demands while quelling further efforts to unionize.

In addition, the theater hires part-time workers in order to withhold benefits entitled to full-time employees, said Eliska Vacek, an employee who said she has worked for the theater for four years, yet receives no seniority benefits.

“Their primary means of assault is to increase the use of part time workers, many who are students,” Vacek said.

Following the series of speeches, the rally members marched on Shattuck Avenue, waving the red and black union flags and holding signs imploring drivers to honk in support of their actions.

While many of the drivers cheered on the rally members with honks and thumbs-ups, others were less receptive, threatening to run over individuals if they continued to block traffic.

Theater employees said rallies will continue until the theater agrees to negotiate its employees’ contract.

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