KEY POINTS:
SkyCity Cinemas says it is "disappointed" workers have planned further industrial action after a strike at an Auckland theatre last night.
SkyCity Cinemas chief operating officer Joanne Watt said yesterday's strike at WestCity Shopping Town Cinema in Henderson was expected and operations were not disrupted.
She said management would "welcome the opportunity" to continue negotiations with the union.
"We are disappointed to hear Unite (Union) is advocating further strike action.
"We value our employees greatly as they represent the public face of our company, and have good relationships with them," she said.
Unite Union national director Mike Treen said today industrial action would continue until the SkyCity Cinemas chain amended its pay rates and offered secure work hours for employees.
The action has been dubbed the "popcorn" strike after staff requested cinema patrons to show support for their cause by boycotting buying food from confectionary stands.
Mr Treen said the union was negotiating with other cinema outlets including Reading and Hoyts.
"Eventually the entire movie industry will be involved," he said.
Members were asking for an hourly rate of $12.20, moving up to $13.10 after two years' service, as well as guaranteed work hours.
Mr Treen said the public reaction to yesterday's picket was overwhelming.
"[The workers] had big signs up saying `toot for support', `for secure hours', `against low pay', and the toots were deafening."
Mr Treen said when the workers went back to work they were met with big lines after senior management had tried to fill the strikers' shoes.
The union was willing to re-enter negotiations at any time but he did not believe SkyCity took its workers seriously.
"In our negotiations with them they were contemptuous and dismissive of any idea that these workers deserved greater rights."
SkyCity is the largest cinema operator in New Zealand with 19 cinemas throughout the country.
- NZPA
