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davis_square[from the Somerville progressive announce list]
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 20:09:11 -0500
From: "JK"
Subject: Somerville Theatre Projectionists Win 2 year Contract
YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU ARE ORGANIZED TO TAKE:
'Pissed Off Projectionists' Declare Victory Over Somerville Theatre
After having been locked-out for over ten weeks, projectionists at the Somerville Theatre have emerged victorious in their struggle for union recognition. The management has agreed to voluntarily recognize the union, sign a fair contract, and pay full back wages to all locked-out employees. Although this was a modest struggle in and of itself, we see it as a significant victory for young, exploited and pissed off workers everywhere.
PROJECTIONISTS WIN A LIVING WAGE!
At the time we struck for union recognition, projectionists were paid minimum wage ($6.75/hr), were not offered benefits, and worked in an unhealthy and undemocratic environment. Under the current two-year contract, the starting wage for projectionists is now in accordance with (and fixed to) the
Somerville Living Wage Ordinance (currently $9.55/hr), which is a 40% increase; all full-time employees will be offered health benefits and vacation; and most importantly, the Somerville Theatre is now a 'union shop' for projectionists, which allows for more control over the work environment by the workers themselves and preference for hiring new employees in the hands of the union.
Although this was a clear victory, it was a victory that came at a price. It became clear during the lock-out that the management of the Somerville Theatre did not want some of us to return to work specifically because of our political beliefs. Rather than further stall the contract negotiations, we agreed to voluntarily step aside and be replaced by other union projectionists in order to ensure a speedy resolution that would benefit all. In exchange we will have the opportunity to work in other Boston-area theaters where projectionists are organized through IATSE.
DIRECT ACTION GETS THE GOODS!
We hope that our struggle is an inspiration to other workers, particularly younger workers just beginning to understand their exploitation at the hands of their bosses. Our struggle was won primarily through direct action and community pressure. Although we did indeed file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, from the beginning of our campaign we had no faith in State-mediation. We felt that the whole NLRB process played into the hands of the bosses and government bureaucrats, and effectively removed the class struggle from off the streets and out of the hands of the workers and confined it to the court rooms of the State.
In the end it was not through the NLRB that we gained union recognition, but through a sustained campaign of public pressure and direct action. We were successful in utilizing tactics and strategies such as economic strikes, informational pickets, and publicity campaigns while simultaneously relying on the pressure from the community (in the form of boycotts, rallies, and phone actions) to win this struggle. We think we were successful in proving that, as workers, our greatest strengths are in the refusal of our labor and our ability to organize effective resistance that goes beyond the workplace and into the community.
ANARCHISTS IN THE WORKPLACE?
Absolutely! Through out the dispute at the Somerville Theatre, there have been attempts by Mel?s lawyer to 'red bait' certain projectionists by publicizing the fact that some of us are anarchists. Well, as one trade unionist who walked our picket line a few times eloquently stated: "Every workplace could use a few anarchists to ensure the boss takes a good ass-kicking every now and then." We couldn't agree more. Politics aside, the fact of the matter was that we were being exploited by a wealthy boss, and no amount of 'red baiting' changed this fact in most people's eyes. As for the actual politics in question, those of us who do identify as anarchists have been up front about it and have no problem defending out beliefs. We would like to see a society in which the needs of people are valued over profits, and exploitative bosses are a thing of the past. However, we are not hopeless dreamers. We recognize we are a far way off from this sort of society, and in the meantime we need build power in our communities and workplaces and work towards class victories
that directly benefit people's lives.
THANKS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
One of the most inspiring aspects of this struggle has been the wide support we have received from trade unionists, activist groups and members of the surrounding community. Thanks to fellow unionists from SEIU, UE, CWA, IBEW, IWW, AFA, AFSCME, Teamsters, Greater Boston Central Labor Council, and our own union IATSE; also activist groups such as NEFAC, BAAM!, Jobs With Justice, Somerville Greens, and the Student Labor Action Project; and lastly, a very special thanks goes out to all the Somerville residents who supported us, everyone who made a phone call (or ten) on our behalf, and anyone else who may have helped our campaign that we forgot to mention.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES...
The struggle at the Somerville Theatre may have come to a close, but there are other labor disputes heating up around the city. At this moment, the union contracts covering thousands of Boston-area workers at Verizon are set to expire. Up to this point negotiations have been unsuccessful and the possibility for an East Coast strike is very likely. We hope that everyone who has supported us though out our struggle will also support this important strike if it does occur, and defend workers' right to job security and health benefits. Further information on the impending Verizon strike can be found at: www.massjwj.net.
Solidarity is our greatest weapon for a better future!
In Struggle, Pissed Off Projectionists
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 20:09:11 -0500
From: "JK"
Subject: Somerville Theatre Projectionists Win 2 year Contract
YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU ARE ORGANIZED TO TAKE:
'Pissed Off Projectionists' Declare Victory Over Somerville Theatre
After having been locked-out for over ten weeks, projectionists at the Somerville Theatre have emerged victorious in their struggle for union recognition. The management has agreed to voluntarily recognize the union, sign a fair contract, and pay full back wages to all locked-out employees. Although this was a modest struggle in and of itself, we see it as a significant victory for young, exploited and pissed off workers everywhere.
PROJECTIONISTS WIN A LIVING WAGE!
At the time we struck for union recognition, projectionists were paid minimum wage ($6.75/hr), were not offered benefits, and worked in an unhealthy and undemocratic environment. Under the current two-year contract, the starting wage for projectionists is now in accordance with (and fixed to) the
Somerville Living Wage Ordinance (currently $9.55/hr), which is a 40% increase; all full-time employees will be offered health benefits and vacation; and most importantly, the Somerville Theatre is now a 'union shop' for projectionists, which allows for more control over the work environment by the workers themselves and preference for hiring new employees in the hands of the union.
Although this was a clear victory, it was a victory that came at a price. It became clear during the lock-out that the management of the Somerville Theatre did not want some of us to return to work specifically because of our political beliefs. Rather than further stall the contract negotiations, we agreed to voluntarily step aside and be replaced by other union projectionists in order to ensure a speedy resolution that would benefit all. In exchange we will have the opportunity to work in other Boston-area theaters where projectionists are organized through IATSE.
DIRECT ACTION GETS THE GOODS!
We hope that our struggle is an inspiration to other workers, particularly younger workers just beginning to understand their exploitation at the hands of their bosses. Our struggle was won primarily through direct action and community pressure. Although we did indeed file for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, from the beginning of our campaign we had no faith in State-mediation. We felt that the whole NLRB process played into the hands of the bosses and government bureaucrats, and effectively removed the class struggle from off the streets and out of the hands of the workers and confined it to the court rooms of the State.
In the end it was not through the NLRB that we gained union recognition, but through a sustained campaign of public pressure and direct action. We were successful in utilizing tactics and strategies such as economic strikes, informational pickets, and publicity campaigns while simultaneously relying on the pressure from the community (in the form of boycotts, rallies, and phone actions) to win this struggle. We think we were successful in proving that, as workers, our greatest strengths are in the refusal of our labor and our ability to organize effective resistance that goes beyond the workplace and into the community.
ANARCHISTS IN THE WORKPLACE?
Absolutely! Through out the dispute at the Somerville Theatre, there have been attempts by Mel?s lawyer to 'red bait' certain projectionists by publicizing the fact that some of us are anarchists. Well, as one trade unionist who walked our picket line a few times eloquently stated: "Every workplace could use a few anarchists to ensure the boss takes a good ass-kicking every now and then." We couldn't agree more. Politics aside, the fact of the matter was that we were being exploited by a wealthy boss, and no amount of 'red baiting' changed this fact in most people's eyes. As for the actual politics in question, those of us who do identify as anarchists have been up front about it and have no problem defending out beliefs. We would like to see a society in which the needs of people are valued over profits, and exploitative bosses are a thing of the past. However, we are not hopeless dreamers. We recognize we are a far way off from this sort of society, and in the meantime we need build power in our communities and workplaces and work towards class victories
that directly benefit people's lives.
THANKS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS
One of the most inspiring aspects of this struggle has been the wide support we have received from trade unionists, activist groups and members of the surrounding community. Thanks to fellow unionists from SEIU, UE, CWA, IBEW, IWW, AFA, AFSCME, Teamsters, Greater Boston Central Labor Council, and our own union IATSE; also activist groups such as NEFAC, BAAM!, Jobs With Justice, Somerville Greens, and the Student Labor Action Project; and lastly, a very special thanks goes out to all the Somerville residents who supported us, everyone who made a phone call (or ten) on our behalf, and anyone else who may have helped our campaign that we forgot to mention.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES...
The struggle at the Somerville Theatre may have come to a close, but there are other labor disputes heating up around the city. At this moment, the union contracts covering thousands of Boston-area workers at Verizon are set to expire. Up to this point negotiations have been unsuccessful and the possibility for an East Coast strike is very likely. We hope that everyone who has supported us though out our struggle will also support this important strike if it does occur, and defend workers' right to job security and health benefits. Further information on the impending Verizon strike can be found at: www.massjwj.net.
Solidarity is our greatest weapon for a better future!
In Struggle, Pissed Off Projectionists
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Re: Justice not size
Date: 2003-07-30 07:21 am (UTC)Re: Justice not size
Date: 2003-07-30 07:25 am (UTC)The union and the management reached a mutual agreement. Time for for the rest of us to accept their decision.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 07:33 am (UTC)Perhaps because it's cheaper to pay union wages than continue to replace broken windows every week?
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 07:37 am (UTC)Won't that be fun? :P
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 07:41 am (UTC)oh sorry, got distracted for a second.
Brought to you by the Every Action Has a Consequence Committee
Date: 2003-07-30 07:52 am (UTC)Viva la revolution!
*wipes tear from his eye*
heehee
Date: 2003-07-30 07:56 am (UTC)Re: heehee
Date: 2003-07-30 08:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 08:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 08:18 am (UTC)Even though I have a very real concern with the ongoing mallification of the Square, this post was meant to be a joke. A dark one, to be sure, but a joke nonetheless.
turn the theater into a franchise?
Date: 2003-07-30 11:06 am (UTC)When this became public, the community was horrified. A nonprofit group sprang up to raise money to buy the theater from him, but they needed time, and the owner was all set to proceed with the development plans and didn't want to backtrack. Two applications for a zoning variance were heard by the Brookline board of selectmen. The community lobbied against the variance.
At the time, I was a high school student in Brookline. I attended one of the Board of Selectmen hearings, along with many other people, and I remember getting up to speak in favor of granting the Coolidge more time. A friend of mine, also a high school student, ran a door-to-door campaign for Brookline Town Meeting on a "save the coolidge" platform, and got elected, defeating an adult opponent. Coolidge Corner businesses supported us vigorously - the Coolidge brought them business and made the place more interesting and varied and kept people there later, a mini-mall would just bring in chain competitors.
We won. The board of selectment denied the zoning variance. The nonprofit group's funding fell through, and they tried again. The board again granted us time. Funding worked out, and they bought the theater. Ever since, the Coolidge Corner Theatre has been a nonprofit run by a board formed by the group that ran this campaign.
This was my first real introduction to politics.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 12:58 pm (UTC)Ah well... At least it gave you an opportunity to share your tale of political heroism. Kudos. I'm quite fond of the Coolidge as well.
'Course, now I'm curious about that theater. Is it a union shop? What are the wages of their projectionists? What sorts of benefits packages do they have?
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 08:05 am (UTC)Re: Justice not size
Date: 2003-07-30 07:37 am (UTC)Dude, calm down and stop treating everyone who's questioning the doctrine that this unionization is 100% good and right like the enemy. I know I don't know, THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING. I'm bringing up an issue, a concern, a thought.
The union and the management reached a mutual agreement
Well of course they can make any agreement they want and there's nothing I can do about it. But if the somerville theatre ends up raising its prices and/or goes out of business, I'm going to be quite disappointed, as are the employees of the theatre.
(And before you cry "post hoc" because I wouldn't be able to prove that the extra cost of supporting a union was what led to any of these potential outcomes -- all I'm saying is that unionizing the projectionists is a significant cost to the theatre and that *is* going to have to come from somewhere)
Re: Justice not size
Date: 2003-07-30 08:11 am (UTC)I am calm I am just engaging in lively debate. =)
In any case I did offer an answer to your question. That being that it is unlikely for the owner to agree to something that would force him out of business.
As for the prices, if the prices have to go up to pay the projectionist a living wage, so be it. Call me a radical, but I don't see my right to pay $1 less per ticket more important than someone elses health insurance.
Re: Justice not size
Date: 2003-07-30 08:45 am (UTC)And if they can't get jobs elsewhere, what happens if the somerville theatre decides they can't afford to keep this many union projectionist on staff and cuts their size down, laying some of them off? Well, I guess they're sol in that case, but at least they learned a valuable lesson in macroeconomics!
---
Either way, I'd still go to somerville theatre even if the ticket prices were raised. I prefer supporting independent businesses. However, you're ignoring another economic effect -- the fact that they will lose business if they increase prices. And most probably they will end up losing money from this situation, no matter how much they try to up prices to compensate.
I really hope they can afford it and stay in business.
The Somerville can afford it
Date: 2003-07-30 10:33 am (UTC)I'd personally be more concerned that he might raise the rent on the Someday and drive *them* out of business, than that the Somerville itself would fold as a direct cost of unionizing.
Re: The Somerville can afford it
Date: 2003-07-30 10:39 am (UTC)But right now i really should be working :)