BECTU passes its screen test

Engineers and projectionists at the UK's second-biggest cinema chain have voted to accept a 3.5% pay award.

The across-the-board increase at Cineworld was offered by management last month after weeks of negotiations with the BECTU entertainment union.

Mick Corfield, chair of the union's Cineworld subdivision, said the union's 90% membership rate at the company - which operates more than 70 multiplex cinemas around the country - was crucial in securing the deal.

Thanking members for their support, Corfield added: "I'm delighted that once again we have negotiated a year-on-year above-inflation pay award whilst operating in difficult times and still maintaining no significant changes to terms and conditions."