Thousand of staff members of Cineworld have openly expressed severe concerns about their safety, as the company looks to have a mass reopening of their venues from 10 July.
Many staff members were shocked to hear statements made by Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger to The Hollywood Reporter, where he outlined that all staff would be required to participate in regular temperature checks alongside mandatory face covering. But the anger stemmed from how staff must wear facemasks, but customers do not.
The outrage felt by the staff led to them organizing an online petition under the banner of Cineworld Action Group. The CAG clearly outlined their anger at a severe lack of clarity from the owners ahead of the planned reopening on 10 July. Communication between staff and management seems to have been lacking, with the CAG extremely befuddled at how staff were not informed of this decision through emails or a group meeting, but through Greidinger’s Hollywood Reporter interview: a far cry from an appropriate way to inform your staff.
Read more: The Uncertain Landscape Of Cinema After COVID-19
CAG has clear and simple premises for their petition, as they state “customers are required to wear a mask/face covering to enter Cineworld sites, and should at least have to wear them in high traffic areas (corridors/foyers/concessions), where the most contact is likely to occur. These restrictions can be eased in the auditoriums where social distancing can be maintained throughout the duration of a film.” CAG has also expressed a sincere worry about the health and well-being of the staff, as well as staff members’ long term future within the company: “If numerous staff were to contract the virus, we fear that the company’s operations could be adversely affected, resulting in job losses.”
Overall, CAG has been extremely critical of the large cinema chain, having also criticized the handling of the furlough scheme as well as the lack of health and safety consultation. Some members noted on Twitter that they’re only expected to receive notice three days before opening.
Words by Paul Dawson