Employees at an Alamo Drafthouse theater in Colorado have voted to authorize a strike due to alleged layoffs that were in violation of federal labor law. This action comes as staffers at two theaters in New York have also taken similar steps.
One hundred percent of participating employees at the Sloans Lake location of the theater chain voted on Feb. 5 and 6 to approve a potential work stoppage. The chain recently laid off 47 out of nearly 300 workers across three Colorado locations, a move that the Denver-based Communications Workers of America Local 7777 claims is illegal. Local 7777 is working to organize theaters in Littleton and Westminster, CO as well, with the outcome dependent on ongoing proceedings at the National Labor Relations Board.
President of Local 7777, Anthony Scorzo, argues that the company did not conduct the layoffs lawfully while negotiations for a first labor contract at the Sloans Lake location were ongoing. The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB and is currently awaiting a decision. This charge is part of a series of unresolved unfair labor practice charges at the Littleton and Westminster locations.
Alamo Drafthouse has not provided a comment on the situation but a source close to the company has disagreed with the union’s claims. The staff reductions at the theaters in Colorado and New York are part of a larger nationwide effort affecting both theatrical and corporate employees after Sony acquired the exhibition chain.
The union’s goal in authorizing a strike is to prompt the company to reverse the layoffs and reinstate the affected workers. A strike authorization vote does not automatically lead to a work stoppage, but it does give union leaders the authority to call for one.
The union has been negotiating its first contract for Sloans Lake workers since September and has had several bargaining sessions with management. Future bargaining sessions are scheduled, with Ogletree Deakins’ Matthew Kelley leading negotiations for management and Scorzo representing the union.
In conclusion, the ongoing labor dispute at Alamo Drafthouse theaters serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to labor laws and engaging in fair bargaining practices.
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