Brooklyn movie theater workers who say they were “victimized by Babenheimer” voted to unionize after an “aggressive union-busting campaign” from management.
Employees at Nighthawk Cinema in Prospect Park say they’re tired of dangerous working conditions, unfair treatment, low pay and overwork at the popular theater. The union said in a statement last month that their concerns were “further exacerbated by the Babenheimer whirlwind phenomenon” last summer.
Will Bobrowski, second vice president of UAW Local 2179, voted 51-41 in favor of the union, with 92 workers out of more than 100 voters participating in last week’s election. he told the Brooklyn Paper.
Employees at the independent dine-in theater said “Babenheimer,” the biggest opening weekend in the theater’s 12 years of operation, was a turning point for the staff, many of whom are already in post-coronavirus mode. He said he felt overwhelmed by the lackluster theater protocols.
Representatives of the Nighthawk union told newspaper management that their plans to unionize had been accomplished through an “aggressive union-busting campaign.”
“Workers faced a barrage of emails filled with intimidation tactics and outright misinformation from owner Matthew Biller,” the union wrote. “During that time, senior management engaged in persistent intimidation and intimidation against employees in all departments.”
The Nighthawk union did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Biller denied union-busting, saying publisher management had “no idea” that anti-union tactics were being used and that management had “educated” employees about the union.
“We educated our employees that the union was trying to take away their right to vote. We wanted them to vote. There was so much participation that we ,” he said.
Despite the ample turnout, Villar felt the 51 votes in favor of the union was not a very strong sign of support.
“This has been a very difficult and divisive process for our business and it is sad to see so many of our employees unhappy now,” he said. “There are really no winners here.”
When workers first announced plans to unionize, about 70 employees signed union recognition cards, but only 51 voted in favor of a union in the election, Bobrovsky said. “There is still a huge gap,” he said.
It will likely be at least several months before Nighthawk workers and management reach an initial contract, union sources told the magazine.
Nighthawk Cinema’s Williamsburg location is an independent entity and not part of a union.
The newspaper has contacted Nighthawk Cinemas for comment.
