Negotiations stall between Coolidge Corner Theatre union and management

Employees at the nonprofit Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline announced plans to unionize in May citing inadequate wages, inconsistent scheduling and a lack of health care benefits.

Now, the recently formed union — which organizers say was recognized by the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation on June 5 — reports negotiations have stalled “due to an unsatisfactory and counterproductive proposal from management.” Staff state they submitted the union’s comprehensive financial contract proposal on Oct. 2.

According to a collective statement, the union had suggested improvements to employee pay and benefits. Members say the theater management’s response would instead “take away existing benefits and opportunities for extra pay” and “decrease hourly wages for certain days of the week,” along with treating “tips as wages” and adding shift supervisors to the tip pool rather than raising compensation.

"The proposal from the Coolidge is frustrating, disappointing, and, frankly, insulting,” the union said in a statement. “We feel that they do not respect us or the invaluable work we do for the theatre.” They added the organization cannot run without their labor. “We are the operational backbone of a valued, historic community cinema and it's important not to lose sight of the values that have always been a part of the theatre's history.”

Employees at the theater are represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW), which also represents employees at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in the Berkshires and Brookline Booksmith.

In a statement, the theater's management said, "The Coolidge Corner Theatre voluntarily recognized the union and supports our employees’ decision to join a union. We value the contributions of all of our employees and look forward to our next bargaining session, which is scheduled for early December, and to reaching a fair contract."

This news arrived on the eve of the cinema’s annual Coolidge Award event honoring legendary filmmaker John Waters. The cinema debuted a milestone expansion early this year that includes two new movie houses, a larger lobby and an education center.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre Union said it’s disappointed by the Coolidge Foundation’s terms but remains dedicated to continuing negotiations in good faith with hopes of addressing concerns that include being a part of impactful decisions at the organization, access to quality health care and benefits, and respectful treatment of all employees.