Odeon staff payroll dispute

BECTU members working as technicians (projectionists) in Odeon Cinemas have gone into dispute with the company.

The dispute concerns the employer’s intention to alter the payroll system, which would result in employees receiving just one week’s pay in the month of implementation.

The proposed change is intended to align the monthly pay period with the payroll cut-off point - usually the 8th of the month - in order to pay all staff in arrears up to this date. Currently, technicians are paid on the 23rd of each month for the entire calendar month. Odeon have offered an interest-free loan to all affected staff to cover the pay shortfall.

BECTU National Official, Lou George and Peter Burton, Odeon Sub-Divisional Committee Vice-Chair, met with company executives in Leicester Square on 19 March in the first of a series of dispute meetings. At the most recent meeting Odeon management requested an adjournment until 24 April to verify whether or not staff are receiving effective communication on the reasons for the proposed change.

Lou George said: "Whilst respecting Odeon's wish to clarify their reasons for the payroll change, I believe this is largely academic to employees. Not surprisingly, our members’ main concern is with what is in their pay packet. The absence of three weeks’ money is completely unacceptable. Also, many staff are unwilling to be put into Odeon's debt by way of a loan to satisfy a company objective which will cause only hardship to them and to their families.”