The union representing workers at Alamo Drafthouse’s Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn theatres announced an end to a 58-day strike, having reached a deal with the exhibitor to rehire all 70 of the staff who had been laid off two months ago. The successful conclusion of this strike is likely to encourage other cinema workers to takes steps towards unionizing.
The workers at these two New York area Alamo locations chose to form a union as a result of experiencing challenging working conditions during the “Barbenheimer” crush in the summer of 2023. At that time, workers complained of chronic understaffing and long hours without Alamo providing sufficient compensation or incentives. Even after the circuit’s founder and former CEO, Tim League, spoke against the measure, workers chose to form unions at the Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, and Sloane Springs, Colorado locations.
Union representatives cited “corporate betrayal” as justification for the strike after dozens of workers at the three locations were let go after Sony acquired the exhibitor. While studio executives described the move as driven by a seasonal pattern of reducing staff during “down periods” in the theatrical schedule, workers cited Alamo’s previous policy of cutting back on hours rather than letting workers go.
This week’s deal appears to have met the union’s stated objectives, with all 70 laid-off workers being rehired and retaining their seniority. While the morale of Alamo’s workers is said to be riding high after the successful action, it is also the case that Sony may need to hire staff to handle the increase in foot traffic from the upcoming summer movie season.
