A-Infos (en) US, Somerville Projectionist* Update (6/25) - UNTIL VICTORY...

[Geoff Downs <anarchocommie@hotmail.com>]

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It has been almost two months since the projectionists at the Somerville
Theater demanded union recognition and a fair contract. Projectionists at
the Somerville Theater are paid minimum wage ($6.75/hour) with little hope
of raises, are not offered health or dental insurance, nor any benefits, and
are forced to work in an unsafe and unhealthy environment. We feel
unionization and collective bargaining is our only hope for improving our
jobs. In response, theater-owner Melvin Fraiman decided to lock us out of
work, where we have remained for the past 7 weeks. During this time we have
constantly and actively fought for our right to organize and earn a decent
wage. As the struggle draws into its second month, we want to put any doubts
to rest: we will continue this fight until we have achieved victory!

AN END IN SIGHT OR THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM?

We are currently in the process of negotiating a resolution to our labor
dispute, which would include Fraiman's voluntary recognition of the union.
If these negotiations go well, we hope that very soon we will be proud to
announce a victory for us, for the union, and for exploited workers
everywhere.

However, the struggle is far from over, and now is the time for renewed
vigilance. The negotiation process is a very precarious one, and at any time
Fraiman could decide to put an end to it. We have been asked by our union
local to put a hold on pickets and other mobilizations during the process of
negotiations, and as a show of good-faith, we have agreed to do so. We will
be taking this time to rest, recuperate, and strategize, and we encourage
all of our supporters to do the same. While we all want to be optimistic,
this may well be nothing more than the calm before the storm.

PREPARE FOR ESCALATION

We ask all our supporters to prepare themselves for a significant increase
in our mobilization should Fraiman decide to back out of negotiations. It is
because of the hard work all of us together have done that we have won what
leverage we have, and forced Fraiman to negotiate. Fraiman has made no
secret of the fact that it was the countless phone calls,  emails, and
pickets, coupled with the economic drain of the boycott, which brought him
to the table.

Please continue to aid our struggle for union recognition and a fair
contract: spread the word to your friends and family, and be prepared for an
emergency mobilization in response to any dirty
tricks Fraiman may attempt to pull.

PLEASE CONTINUE BOYCOTTING THE SOMERVILLE AND CAPITOL THEATERS

Though we hope someday soon that we could all attend the Somerville Theater
in good conscience, that time has not yet come. We are still locked-out, and
still waging an uphill battle for our very simple demands. Although we have
agreed not to picket during the negotiation process, we ask that supporters
continue to actively boycott these two theaters.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR STRUGGLE

The projectionists have not been able to work for almost two months now. If
you would like to make a donation to our campaign for union recognition
please visit the paypal account link below:

https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=cac%40linefeed.org&item_name=Projectionist+Strike+Fund&item_number=Strike001&no_note=1&tax=0

We also have a mailing address:

Somerville Projection Workers
PO Box 442075
Somerville, MA 02144
(any checks or money orders should be made out “Cash”)

Solidarity,
Somerville Theatre Projectionists

Pissed_Off_Projectionists@yahoo.com

*[Ed. Notes, including and supported by the anti-authoritarians of the left
of the region]


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