Workers at Nitehawk’s Prospect Park location are seeking to unionize

By Brooklyn Magazine Staff

Employees at Nitehawk Cinema’s location in Park Slope are seeking to unionize.

Citing “years of neglect and disregard for employees’ warranted concerns” — from pandemic woes to the onslaught that was “Barbenheimer” — about 20 employees “marched on the weekly managers’ meeting” this week and delivered a letter telling Nitehawk of their intent to unionize on Tuesday, according to a statement the employees have put out.

In the release, the employees accuse Nitehawk management of having “disregard for employees’ warranted concerns,” including understaffing, scheduling issues and even harassment. They said that the theater’s operations are “are dependent on the underpaid and overworked staff.”

In total, more than 100 employees want to join United Auto Workers Local 2179. Last fall, Alamo Drafthouse employees sought to join the same union. “These inconsistencies leave the workers physically unsafe and economically vulnerable,” they wrote.

Management was “unwilling to commit to recognition at this time,” so the question will likely face a hearing with National Labor Relations Board if the two sides don’t come to an agreement. Nitehawk Cinema didn’t immediately respond to Brooklyn Magazine’s request for comment.

The Williamsburg location is an independent body and not part of the dispute.

“The workers of Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park demand an environment in which they are properly compensated for the labor they provide, and given the respect they deserve,” employees stated. “This union affirms that all workers everywhere have the right to a living wage, a safe workplace, and an equal voice at the bargaining table with management.”