Glasgow city centre cinema branded 'worlds worst' by staff

Unite members gave the title on the picket line, who resumed industrial action today.

The dispute, which began in December, centres on demands for better pay, improved working conditions, union recognition, and safe, subsidised transport home.

Striking staff back in December (Image: Glasgow Times reporter)

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: "VUE’s management is trying to force a poor and unfair working environment upon its workers which Unite will not tolerate.

"The workers have Unite’s full support as they begin the latest stage in their campaign for better jobs, pay and conditions."

The union, which represents the vast majority of customer assistants and team leaders at the Glasgow site, will present management with a "World's Worst Cinema" award in protest.

VUE Entertainment Limited reported profits of £25.3 million in 2024, up from £10.5 million the previous year.

Workers are calling for the real living wage for staff aged 18 and over, official union recognition, and guaranteed safe transport at the end of late shifts.

Staff are striking for better pay, improved working conditions, union recognition, and safe, subsidised transport home (Image: Glasgow Times reporter)

Yusuf Kidwai, a Unite representative for VUE workers, said: "The VUE workers are returning once again to the picket line to continue to demand our real living wage and paid and safe transport home.

"Workers have called VUE’s bluff it claimed that all our members' workplace discontent could be solved through its open-door policy.

"Not only has it summarily fail to address any of our issues, but workers are being forced to operate in an environment where attempts to talk about the union are quashed under its bullying and harassment policy, and where treatment for temporary and unionised staff is entirely different.

"Unite members are working in a murky culture of fear and intimidation.

"VUE has proven that it cannot be trusted to behave like a responsible employer."

The union says staff are subject to an "unfair and unequal" workplace culture, and allege that union-related discussions are suppressed under company policies.

Staff are striking for better pay, improved working conditions, union recognition, and safe, subsidised transport home (Image: Glasgow Times reporter)

Meanwhile, Unite has confirmed that industrial action will also continue at Village Hotels in Govan following a fresh mandate from workers.

Dozens of hotel employees voted overwhelmingly to continue striking, with 96.5% in favour.

Action has been ongoing since late November in a similar dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Vue cinema and Village Hotels have been approached for comment.