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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
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 10:37 am (UTC)People have an understandable bias towards supporting local independent businesses, and that is a good thing. But I'd like to point out that the very reason we should treasure and protect such businesses against the chains and multinationals, is precisely because locally owned independent businesses have to be more responsive to their community to survive. It is that - their link and responsiveness to their communities - that we value them for. If you take this to mean that we should protect them against the community, that it is illegitimate for the community to demand changes from businesses that mistreat people, you're missing the whole point. If you feel that way, then we might as well just have national chains. The fact that a small local strike like this can succeed is one of the main reasons why we want to have businesses like the Somerville Theatre around.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:03 am (UTC)I'll make a "vague guess" that it was one of the projectionists that broke the glass around the ticket window. But I could be wrong.
I'll make another "vague guess" that, a week later, another of the projectionists broke the glass to the left of the entrance doors. But it could be coincidence.
I'll make a "vague guess" that the union was behind the thousands of stickers littering Davis Square claiming "Somerville Theatre - Union Busters", "Boycott Somerville Theatre!", and the like. But it could be unrelated happenstance.
How were these actions any different than one of the local thugs stopping by, and saying "Nice little cheap second-run and art house you got here. Wouldn't want anything bad to happen to it, would we?"
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:11 am (UTC)I think I was very clear about what rumors I was referring to. If you're not even going to bother reading what I wrote, why respond? Does setting up straw men make you feel better when you don't know what to say?
Sorry, your post really set me off in frustration. It has nothing to do with what I wrote.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:22 am (UTC)I recognize that the rumors and vague guesses were about the financial status of the Somerville Theatre.
But I was using your phrase "vague guess" ironically, as I was trying to point out that the bashing of the projectionists was neither "unjustified" or "knee-jerk". There seems to be ample reason to bash the "pissed-off projectionists," and their use of vandalism as an apparent first-resort is one that particularly set me off. Of course, if they go around and remove all the stickers they put up, I won't be nearly as mad.
Sorry, sometimes irony gets lost in print.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:36 am (UTC)My vague guesses were about the economics and I look forward to getting the facts. It's cool that folks provided some and the info on the state of the theatre (ownership, etc.) was very helpful.
-ia.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 12:02 pm (UTC)I was looking for further information, not a muzzling based on the fact that I raised the question or implications that I'm some sort of anti-worker zealot because I don't necessarily believe that union action is good and just.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:50 am (UTC)I don’t believe that we who’ve not jumped on the bandwagon have been saying the projectionists are evil. We’ve asked questions like ‘Is there any truth to the rumor that this was a minority action?’ ‘What is the ultimate cost of these concessions?’ ‘How will these costs affect the services provided to the community and the viability of the business?’ and ‘Will the new union and their associates take responsibility for the undesired consequences and damages?’
As near as I can tell, the row to which you've reacted rests primarily on whether we have the right to ask these questions in the face of a successful collective bargaining action.
what I'm reacting to...
Date: 2003-07-30 12:30 pm (UTC)Look at how this subthread began:
http://www.livejournal.com/community/davis_square/64303.html?thread=210479
that is what I'm reacting to.
Re: what I'm reacting to...
Date: 2003-07-30 12:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 11:54 am (UTC)Yet you labeled my comment under the blanket of "knee-jerk and based on ignorance." I really don't appreciate it -- and in fact, such a labelling is knee-jerk in and of itself!
Anyway, your depiction of the owner of somerville theatre seems to fit under my "unless the owners of the theatre were fat cat money grubbing assholes" exception (perhaps not as colorfully), so again I'm not sure what your problem is.
And like I said elsewhere, i'm going to have to look into this more myself.
Perhaps unionizing was a good thing for the workers and the community overall, and my fears of financial consequences are unfounded. However, I still disagree with the overly-"activist" type behavior of the projectionists, as I ranted about below.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-30 01:58 pm (UTC)