Odeon members re-ballot on 2.5%

A second ballot is being run after Odeon said their pay offer was final.

In the first ballot, which closed in mid-January, the cinema chain's 2.5% pay increase for technicians was rejected by 93% of members who voted.

Further talks with the company produced no improvement in the offer - the company expressed fears that a better pay rise would set a precedent for front-of-house staff and managers who were not covered by the union pay negotiations.

Negotiators had deliberately kept this year's pay claim simple in order to secure the best possible increase in basic pay - there were, for example, no demands for productivity rewards in the original claim.

Members, who were due to receive ballot papers within the next two days, have been told by the union that if the offer is rejected again, a formal dispute will be declared, and an industrial action ballot could follow.

The new ballot is due to close on March 13.