MP intervenes in Ritzy dispute
Streatham MP Keith Hill has asked Brixton Ritzy Cinema to reopen negotiations in an attempt to resolve a pay dispute.
Ritzy picket line (Picture: Marc Valee)
Keith Hill, whose constituency includes Brixton, has written to Ritzy owners City Screen saying he is "surprised that many of the staff are being paid at such a low level".
BECTU members have taken strike action on 26 May and 1 June in protest at Ritzy's offer to increase wages from the National Minimum Wage of £5.35 to £5.41 per hour (or £5.50 without a sales bonus).
This is while the London Living Wage has been calculated at £7.20 and the poverty line at £6.25.
Letter to Alastair Oatey, Operations Manager, City Screen
5 June 2007
Due to recent discontinuous strike action at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, which lies in my Streatham constituency, it has been brought to my attention that the majority of staff at the cinema are being paid at the national minimum wage of £5.35 per hour.
As a regular user of the cinema, I have to say I am surprised that many of the staff are being paid at such a low level. This is not least because - as you take pride in your website - the Ritzy employs "staff who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about film". I therefore have a great deal of sympathy for the staff.
I therefore ask you to reconsider your offer of paying them an extra 6 pence an hour and re-enter into negotiations with the staff.
Thank you for your attention.
Yours sincerely