Alamo Drafthouse Layoffs Prompt Unfair Labor Practice Charge

The job cuts at Alamo Drafthouse have sparked controversy among the unions representing workers at two New York branches, prompting them to file a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board in response.

A theater chain recognized for its on-site dining, strict mobile phone regulations, and movies enthusiast-focused content, has been accused of unfair labor practices by the United Auto Workers Local 2179. The union, representing employees at their lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn branches, claims in their complaint that the company refused to negotiate fairly regarding layoffs and information requests from the union.

Due to labor regulations, theaters must engage in negotiations about potential layoffs with their union since both parties are yet to finalize their first union contract, according to UAW Local 2178’s second vice president Will Bobrowski in a recent interview. In these discussions, they have considered some staff reduction proposals and even suggested reducing the working hours of current employees to an average of 16 hours per week as an alternative. This idea is preferable to the union since many theaters regularly adjust employee hours seasonally.

However, by the close of negotiations on Friday, management stated that they had reached a stalemate in discussions regarding layoffs – a position Bobrowski found implausible given the numerous issues yet to be resolved at the time. “A stalemate suggests that there’s nothing more to negotiate and neither side can progress,” explained the union representative. “But there are numerous articles, essentially most of the contract, still under negotiation and in flux.” Commencing at 9 a.m. on Monday, the theaters reduced their workforce by 40 employees from the downtown Brooklyn site and 30 from the lower Manhattan location. Those let go were informed they could reapply for their positions once box office sales picked up again in a few months.

In a remarkable turn of events, I, as an ardent supporter, can’t help but share that this is the initial instance where our union has lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against the company. This action comes after a grueling organizing campaign, which culminated in victorious union votes back in the fall of 2023. What we experienced was more than just pushing boundaries; it was a clear overstep, crossing lines that the law strictly prohibits. The complexity of labor law often grants employers considerable leeway, but this time, they seemed to have taken advantage of it excessively.

On Tuesday, UAW Local took to leafletting at the Brooklyn site, expressing our disapproval over the layoffs and declaring our unwavering resolve, “We will combat corporate greed until victory.” This follows pickets held at both New York locations on Monday.

Alamo Drafthouse chose not to respond. However, a source within the company expressed disagreement with the union’s stance during negotiations and confirmed that they will persist in negotiating fairly to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.

The layoffs happening in New York are part of a company-wide downsizing affecting both corporate and customer-interfacing workers. In mid-January, an insider hinted to THR that these layoffs were a common practice during a lull in box office activity, but some employees on Reddit argued that the scale of the cuts this time was abnormal.

In 2021, Alamo sought bankruptcy protection during the COVID-19 pandemic, but optimism for its future surged after Sony acquired Alamo Drafthouse in the summer of 2024. This deal represented a rare instance (with minor exceptions) in recent times of a major film studio purchasing a cinema, a practice that was previously barred under the Paramount Consent Decrees, which were overturned in 2020.

For approximately a year now, the union and management have been engaged in negotiations concerning crucial topics such as pay, work schedules, and health and safety matters at the cinemas. Matthew Kelley from Ogletree Deakins has been spearheading these discussions for Alamo Drafthouse, while Thomas Lamadrid from Eisner Dictor & Lamadrid has been representing the union’s interests.

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2025-02-05 02:25