The Unite trade union are organising strike action at one on of Scotland’s busiest cinema complexes in support of the Real Living wage and union recognition.
Scots families could miss out on their traditional festive trip to the movies after staff voted to take part in Scotland’s first ever cinema strike at one of the country’s busiest multiplexes. Fifty workers at the VUE complex at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow are to take industrial action over pay and conditions for four weeks until early January.
Their union Unite say staff are attempting to secure the Real Living Wage, recognition for trade unions, and safe transport for workers working late at night. Unite claims the Glasgow city-centre venue is the most profitable VUE cinema in Scotland and can afford their demands.
Continuous strike action will take place for four weeks from Thursday 11 December and end on Wednesday 7 January. There will also be picket lines every day. The complex has nine cinemas and is due to show the latest Avatar, Grinch and Spongebob movies this month.
Unite say they represent the overwhelming majority of customer assistants and team leaders at the VUE St Enoch’s site and claim the vote for strike action was overwhelming. They also say strike action will “inevitably” cause “considerable” disruption to VUE cinema goers unless the company get round the table.
Nick Troy, national chair of UNITE hospitality, added:We invite VUE to discuss these demands.
“VUE is very profitable despite the crisis cinemas have had in the last couple of years
“The strike is going to cause them major issues.
“The VUE in St Enoch will not operate to any significant capacity for the duration of December while the entirety of the workforce are out on strike.
“They might be able to get cheap labour in from elsewhere but they are going to spread themselves really thin”
Mr Troy added:”VUE have to look at what this dispute is going to do to their credibility.
“Are people going to want to go to VUE again if they don’t get round the table and speak to their workers
“We have massive public support.
“They understand that hospitality workers play key role in the social and cultural life of of Scotland and they respect that
“If a firm has a happy workforce and decent conditions people take their custom there as a result.
“It can only be a benefit for VUE.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite’s members at VUE are taking a brave stand against this very wealthy company in what will be the first strike action at a major Scottish cinema chain. VUE Entertainment can easily afford to meet the workers’ fair and reasonable demands but it is choosing not to.”
Unite claim that VUE Entertainment Limited made a profit amounting to £25.3m in 2024, up from £10.5m in 2023.
A spokesperson for Vue said: “Our teams are at the heart of our business and are highly valued. We continue to have regular meetings and open dialogue with site team members.
“We’re still open and welcoming customers and look forward to providing the Ultimate Big Screen Experience over the festive period.”
