Edinburgh Filmhouse staff say they have been left struggling to survive with no pay after the shock closure of the arts hub on October 6 when the company when into administration.
One staff member who worked as a supervisor for the cinema told how she was left with just a week loss of notice pay and no redundancy due to a clause in her contract and is now struggling to cope with the sky rocketing cost of living.
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Patti Mroz, 26, is one of the organisers behind the fundraising page set up to support the dozens of staff members left without pay following the closure. You can see the fundraising page and donate here.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Patti said: "We got an email around 5.20pm the day before the meeting. It was a very ominous email and didn't say much.
"Most of my colleagues thought it couldn't be that bad as we have had last minute before and if it was really urgent they would have held it that evening.
"Some just suspected that they could be changing the opening hours."
She continued: "The meeting was less than an hour long, they were not sympathetic about the situation at all and then rushed everyone out of the building, only keeping some staff for admin.
"The company immediately said they would not be paying anyone for the hours we had worked already in October or giving out any redundancy pay and said we would have to go to the government to claim pay.
"It was very badly organised. The head of finance knew a few days before but apart from that nobody knew - it was a total shock."
Patti explained that they were still hiring up until the last week despite those at the top being aware of the imminent closure.
She said: "They hired a marketing assistant a week before the closure, this person had turned down a number of jobs to take the role at the Filmhouse and has now been left jobless with no pay or financial support."
For the 26-year-old the impact on her own life has been huge. Patti worked at the company for over a year but will only be given a weeks pay due to her contract.
She said: "I found it very difficult because I have been there less than two years so I was only offered one week redundancy pay. It's really difficult I had nothing to survive. I had to get a bar job for now rather than look for a job in arts as I was left with no redundancy or loss of notice pay and had no time to think about the future or figure out what I will do now."
"I have studied and spent years building a career in the arts industry just to have it taken away. A lot of us are having to rethink our whole lives with no notice" she added.
Explaining: "There are people who have worked there for decades and are now in their fifties - they are having to rethink their whole lives.
"I couldn't go out at all following the closure, I had to stop driving lessons and really cut back. I'm still having issues as they have given the wrong dates to the government so I am still waiting for part of my pay."
Patti is one of a few who have set up a fundraising page for the dozens of staff members that have been left at a loss with no income or stability from the company.
She said: "The fund is primarily aimed at people who have worked there for less than two years who will only get a week's pay."
Finally adding: "The whole thing has been unthoughtful and chaotic, there is no logic behind it. We are all so shocked they didn't let us know the company was in trouble sooner when something could still be done."
The fundraising page that has taken in just over £7,000 so far reads: "Raising £50,000 would allow us to pay 40 members of staff one month’s pay equivalent at the real living wage rate (£10.90) based on their previously worked hours with a cushion for unforeseen needs.
"The fund is targeted towards staff members who had been employed for less than two years and as such will not receive redundancy pay, staff members who have dependents to provide for and anyone else who finds themselves in precarious situations due loss of income.
"The model of distribution will offer staff weekly increments of banded packages at 40hrs/80hrs/120hrs/160hrs per month to best match their previous income and current need.
"This will also enable us to distribute funds as widely as possible and staff members to feel confident that they can access as little or as much support as they need."
You can find out more and donate here.
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Philippa Childs head of Bectu, the trade union for the arts and entertainment industry said: “This is devastating news for Scotland’s film industry and for the affected staff. We know this will be an incredibly challenging and unsettling time for our members impacted by this news, and we will do everything we can to support them.
“We recognise the very difficult circumstances the CMI is facing and we look forward to working with them and Creative Scotland to explore opportunities to preserve the future of the film festival and independent cinema.
“The creative industries were among the worst hit by the pandemic and the energy crisis is now crippling businesses and venues, with today’s news showing only too well the devastating knock-on effects for workers. We urgently need a targeted, sustained support plan to help safeguard the sector and those who work in it.”
You can find out everything about the closure of the Filmhouse and the impact it has had on the community here.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
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