UNION workers are set to boycott Israeli-linked goods at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) in protest of the cinema’s “financial and cultural complicity” in Israeli apartheid.
Unite Hospitality members in the GFT's front-of-house and cleaning teams are aiming to make the venue an apartheid-free zone and show solidarity with Palestinians facing ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Israeli government.
The boycott follows the opening gala of the world-renowned Glasgow Film Festival on Wednesday which saw Hollywood stars like Ed Harris, Tim Roth, James McAvoy and Jessica Lange all make an appearance.
Unite Hospitality members launched a petition more than a year ago calling on the GFT board to ditch Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) listed products and take an anti-apartheid line on all financial, commercial and cultural endeavours.
In November 2023, The Stand Comedy Club agreed to become BDS-compliant after a similar petition launched by Unite Hospitality members as part of the union's Serve Solidarity campaign.
Union members at the GFT will refuse to handle BDS-listed bar products, such as Coca-Cola, from Friday.
A spokesperson for the Unite Hospitality GFT branch said they only want the best for the institution's future and wanted to highlight the contradiction in showcasing Palestinian films and documentaries while profiting off Israeli-linked businesses.
“We are disappointed in the GFT’s failure to agree to endorse BDS and PACBI (Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel). For more than a year, our members have petitioned the board on numerous occasions to agree to scrap financial and cultural ties to the Israeli regime which has plausibly committed genocide, and continues to practice apartheid in the occupied territories and Jerusalem,” they said.
“We, as workers, are proud to be the facilitators of a cultural landmark like the GFT and only want the best for the institution in the future. We are offended by the board’s disregard for the unanimous voice of our members, their workers, and believe this will be of detriment to the cinema going forward.
“We recognise the contradiction of an institution that is willing to profit financially from the screening of popular Palestinian films and documentaries while refusing to cut ties with the apartheid regime which so often appears as the antagonist in them.
“We are proud to be taking this action in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Our members are paving the way for workers across the Scottish economy to take action in support of Palestinian liberation.”
Front-of-house and cleaning staff union members at the GFT were balloted earlier this month and are now undertaking a service boycott in support of the Art Workers for Palestine Scotland open letter, which calls on the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement.
The Art Workers for Palestine Scotland open letter, which launched last week, has since gained more than 1400 signatures, including Glasgow University rector Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, director Ken Loach (above), Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, Bafta nominees Elhum Shakerifar and Theo Panagopoulos, Still Game star Gavin Mitchell and filmmaker Paul Laverty.
A spokesperson from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said they salute the unionised workers who have taken a stand for Palestinian liberation and warned they will ramp up their campaign until their demands are met.
“We are incredibly disappointed that the GFT has not responded to our open letter or our reasonable request for a meeting, given the ethical urgency of the letter, and the progressive image GFT is so keen to portray,” they said.
“We urge the GFT to recognise the depth of feeling that is evidently widespread among the creative community that sustains it. We salute the unionised workers who have taken a stand for Palestinian liberation and who demonstrate the power of workers coming together for Palestine.
“We intend to continue to work together to escalate our campaign until the demands of our open letter are met. We call upon all cultural venues in Glasgow, and more broadly, in Scotland, to endorse PACBI – the cultural boycott of Israel”
Yana Petticrew, industrial officer for Unite Hospitality Glasgow, said the boycott is a "pivotal moment" for the Palestinian movement in Glasgow and hailed the workers decision.
She said: “Our branch would like to convey our unwavering support for our members and friends at the GFT in their service boycott of BDS-listed items and products.
“This is a pivotal moment for the Palestinian movement in Glasgow which highlights the financial, cultural and commercial links between workers in Scotland and the oppression of workers abroad.
“It is inspiring to see our members take this pioneering action and continue to lead the way not only in international and political issues but in building industrial strength and worker-power in Glasgow.
“As hospitality workers, we have a unique position as facilitators of social and cultural life, and therefore the opportunity to eradicate the scourge of apartheid from our social and cultural spaces.
“We encourage workers across the Scottish economy to look to the examples of our members at the GFT and implement BDS policies in their workplace. All are welcome to reach out to Unite Hospitality for advice and support.”
A Glasgow Film spokesperson said: “Glasgow Film is a not-for-profit educational charity committed to delivering its mission of Cinema For All.
“We understand the significance of the issues raised and the depth of feeling raised by members of our communities.
“The Board and Executive are reviewing the detailed points and requests submitted by staff with the necessary due diligence, essential legal review and consultation required to ensure that we meet our charitable obligations.
“We have communicated actively with our staff, and we have responded to AWFPS to accept their meeting request.
“This is the busiest and most high-profile time of the year at GFT, and we look forward to welcoming all our customers and guests to Glasgow Film Festival.”
