BOSSES at The Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, south London, have threatened staff with a lockout if they go ahead with plans for a 13-day strike in their long wages fight.

Workers across the Picturehouse chain, which runs the Ritzy, in London are calling for a living wage, sick pay and reinstatement of four sacked union representatives.

The campaign began 16 months ago, but Picturehouse, which is owned by the transnational giant Cineworld, has refused to enter negotiations.

Ritzy bosses say they will shut down the entire cinema throughout the strike, including during hours when action is not taking place.

Campaigners have launched a campaign to raise £20,000 for the strikers.

Obi Saiq, a worker at Hackney Picturehouse, said: “I work 40 hours a week on irregular shifts and without access to sick pay or maternity pay and I still can’t pay my rent.”

Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: “The whole labour movement will stand in solidarity with the Picturehouse strikers.”

Staff in Piccadilly, Brixton, Hackney, East Dulwich, and Crouch End, will strike from January 20.