GFT and Unite Hospitality Agree Landmark Recognition

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Glasgow Film Theatre and Unite Hospitality Agree Landmark Recognition

Scotland’s leading independent cinema has announced a landmark union recognition with Unite in a first for the country’s cinema sector.

Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) is one of the country’s most cherished and culturally important institutions. It has now become the first cinema in Scotland to sign a voluntary recognition agreement with Unite Hospitality, who will now represent hospitality staff.

The recognition agreement, which covers staff working in GFT’s front of house and cleaning teams, will formalise collective bargaining and negotiation on their pay and relevant workplace policies.

The agreement gives staff a greater say in future changes to working conditions and benefits. It also builds on the GFT’s existing progressive employment practices which include a longstanding commitment to paying the real Living Wage and guaranteed minimum hours, and - following recent consultation with Unite Hospitality staff reps - harmonised sick pay.

The Cosmo – later to become Glasgow Film Theatre in 1974 – opened in 1939 as Scotland’s first independent arthouse cinema. 84 years on, and now an educational charity, GFT remains the home of film in Glasgow and the public’s favourite independent cinema.

From a single screen theatre with 850 seats, it has evolved to three screens, with cutting edge technology and a programme of more than 600 films a year. The past eight decades have been packed with cinema firsts and built a passionate, supportive and loyal following.

Allison Gardner, Glasgow Film Chief Executive, said: ‘We are delighted to have finalised this agreement with Unite on behalf of our staff. The GFT recognise the benefits that an engaged staff, with collective voice, will bring to Glasgow Film as we continue to navigate challenging and uncertain times together as a team.’

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: ‘Following months of positive negotiations between our Unite reps and GFT management, we are delighted to agree collective bargaining at one of the country’s leading cultural institutions. This is a landmark agreement which is already producing positive impacts on the jobs, pay and conditions of our members. The GFT is not only one of the best cinemas in the country to visit but also work for following this exciting development in the sector.’

Katie Mack, Unite Rep at GFT, said: ‘We believe that it is crucial to have official recognition of our right to collectively bargain as a workforce, and we are pleased that Glasgow Film Theatre has chosen to respect our decision to organise with Unite the Union. This decision will help to ensure that we maintain a positive and respectful work environment moving forward.’

About Glasgow Film Theatre:

HISTORY

In 1939, Glaswegians were the UK’s biggest fans of cinema – they went to the cinema an average of 51 times a year, compared to 35 times for the rest of Scotland and 21 in England. In the same year, the Cosmo, Scotland’s first art-house cinema - and only the second purpose-built arthouse cinema in Britain - first opened its doors on Rose Street to show ‘films of a specialised appeal’. In 1974, under new ownership, the cinema was renamed Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), as it is today.

TECHNOLOGY

In 1953, the Queen’s Coronation was broadcast live and exclusively to the Cosmo, the first television performance in a Glasgow cinema. Proud to always be at the cutting edge of technology, GFT now screens in 4K laser projection with 7.1 Dolby digital surround sound, as well as being one of just a handful of venues remaining in the UK with the capacity to screen films in 35mm and 70mm format.

CINEMA FOR ALL

The organisation has changed and evolved but the original sense of providing Cinema For All has remained central to the ethos of the cinema, which is also a registered educational charity. GFT was the first cinema in Scotland to have screenings with adjustments suited to people with Autism and neurodiversity, and in 2017 GFT was the first cinema in the UK to receive the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award.

PROGRAMME

Scotland’s most diverse and best publicly attended independent cinema, GFT shows a wide variety of film – more than 600 different titles a year from over 60 countries, covering every continent of the world. As was intended from the day the cinema opened its doors in 1939, GFT continues to showcase a broad programme of film – including many non-mainstream and classic titles not screened at any other cinema in Scotland.

Over the years, celebrity visitors to the cinema have included: Gemma Arterton, Richard Ayoade, Jessie Buckley, Willem Dafoe, Richard Gere, Karen Gillan, Paul Laverty, Jude Law, David Lynch, Richard Madden, Michael Palin, Lynne Ramsay, Alan Rickman, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton, Quentin Tarantino, David Tennant, Joss Whedon and many more. GFT continues to regularly host exclusive special events – past examples include: Q&As with

the cast of Game of Thrones, and the cast of Still Game; plus music events by Mogwai, King Creosote, Aidan Moffat, Silver Apples and super-group Lost in France.

FESTIVALS

Championing new talent, GFT is the home of the award-winning Glasgow Film Festival and one of the most innovative youth festivals in Europe, Glasgow Youth Film Festival.

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