Odeon staff agree pay deal

BECTU has agreed a 2008/9 pay deal for Odeon projectionists following a ballot of members.

Staff will receive a 2.7% increase backdated to January 2008 followed by a 3% increase in January 2009; however, should the CPI (Consumer Price Index) level of inflation reach 5% in November and December 2008 next January’s increase will rise to 3.5%.

Employees had been offered an increase of 2.1% earlier this year before management unilaterally suspended pay talks in response to a separate payroll dispute. The union’s members rejected the earlier pay offer by a majority of 95%.

With the payroll dispute settled by agreement on a 13-day repayable interim payment to cover the shortfall arising from the company’s decision to change the pay date, talks about the annual review resumed in September. Constructive discussions followed and the company were persuaded to present an improved offer which members voted to accept.

Commenting on the outcome, BECTU National Official, Lou George, said: “This is an excellent example of the benefits of trade union membership. BECTU members covered by the recognition agreement at Odeon have received a significantly better pay offer than non-unionised staff and it serves as testament to the skills of the Odeon Sub-Divisional Committee and its negotiating team.”