Fair Pay Feels Good In A Place Like This | Defector

"As the business model goes, it's a logical extension of what movie theaters have always done, which is make the majority of their money off of concessions. And it makes some intuitive sense for an industry clamoring to get people in the theater: Sure, you can stream Frankenstein at home, but can you enjoy it while in a lay-back chair with popcorn and cocktails on demand?"

"Nitehawk workers began organizing at the Prospect Park location in the summer of 2023. A lot of restaurants in Brooklyn were unionizing at the time, and workers saw themselves in the larger labor movement in the service industry."

Nitehawk Workers Union held a winter rally outside the Nitehawk Prospect Park Theater in Brooklyn, drawing approximately 50 supporters including members from UAW and Teamsters Local 804, as well as Congressional candidate Brad Lander. The theater operates on a unique full-service food model where servers deliver meals and drinks to patrons at their seats during screenings. Workers began organizing at the Prospect Park location in summer 2023, viewing themselves as part of the larger service industry labor movement. The business model extends traditional theater concession revenue generation, offering customers amenities like lay-back chairs and on-demand cocktails alongside films. The unionization effort reflects broader labor organizing trends among Brooklyn restaurants and service workers seeking improved working conditions.

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