buddug

In Paris I sat on a bus next to a female secondary school teacher who proceeded to tell me that she was abducted by aliens, so not all 'white trash'. She was barmy though. I feared for her pupils.

I do agree, however, that Spurrier is just plain wrong.

Libel case anyone?

Urine in bottles exploding?

May I remind you that this is East Dulwich. Such goings on do not happen here.

I've found that 99.9 percent of the time people turn up. And when they do they come with great personality and charm, so we end up having a great chat too, which is a bonus. There's only one person who has stood me up - twice. And she seems to be a serial abuser.

I can hear what sounds like a gun battle going on around Lordship Lane. Can't be fireworks.

Don't be surprised.

I personally know of several businesses, but they aren't actually accredited with the London Living Wage scheme yet. They should do so, so that they can be out and proud, and advertise the fact. The Ivy House was the first in our hood and is so far the only one accredited, bless them, but I may be wrong. But if the Ivy House can do it, so can any other business. Watch this space. I shall update once I check with the companies. And once we have a list of local small businesses doing this, we can shame the conglomerates such as Tesco's and Sainsbury's into following suit.

Even Goldman Sachs for god's sake, abides by the London living wage! As does Southwark Council, amazingly.

This argument about smaller businesses going bust if they paid the london living wage is spurious. There are many small businesses locally paying it (let's hear it for the Ivy House, who are actually accredited!).

LM wrote: "The fact that a business may not be able to run without them is irrelevant "

What?!

Those figures are shocking, Otta.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/06/cineworld-buys-picturehouse

LM wrote: "My point / position is that it is difficult to pay an individual more than the value they contribute to your business."

More than the value they contribute? The Ritzy workers contribute enormous value. How would Picturehouse get their tickets checked or drinks served at the bar or the premises cleaned ready for the next batch of cinema-goers without these workers who are not even being paid a living wage?

Do you really think businesses in this economic climate, especially small businesses, would employ anyone who wasn't vital to their business? Everyone has a part to play to enable a business to exist never mind prosper. It's just that when profits are made, the owners or shareholders forget this.

It's great that the cinema will boost other local businesses in ED like restaurants and pubs. But I doubt very much if those businesses will pass any of the extra profits to their workers in the form of a living wage.

Strafer Jack wrote: If I'm an individual trying to put a roof over my head, what job in London should I get, for less than ?8.80 that constitutes "fair"?

I couldn't have put it better myself. And yes,LM has contradicted himself/herself. But a living wage (in London ?8.80) could become policy, to replace the minimum wage.

But I have to say again, that any business that can't (or rather won't) pay its workers a living wage doesn't deserve to be in business. It seems obvious to me, otherwise in the near future workers like those at the Ritzy, or bar staff/waiters etc won't be able to even travel in to London daily, never mind live here. Where will that leave businesses? Or they'll be forced to live in a hovel or dosshouse. That's happening already. We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. As to low paid workers with children getting tax credits, it really isn't right that taxpayers should be subsidising businesses in this way.

House prices and rent are a problem too. Witness how many cottages and small houses for sale are marketed as former fisherman's cottage or artisan's cottage or quarryman's cottage. Ordinary workers on low incomes could afford to rent or buy a home on just one income even in Victorian times. My house (two flats now) was owned by a bank clerk then!

And let me just add: I don't know about you and everyone else and the gatepost, but it really makes me angry that because these businesses refuse to pay a living wage to their employees, the government has to make up the difference via taxpayer money in the form of tax credits, so they don't starve. When on earth did that start happening? Yes, you guessed it, under Toni (Italian mafia spelling) Blair's government. It's unbelievable. Why are we putting up with this?

Zebedee Tring wrote: "Buddug, you know that I have the greatest respect for you, but IMHO there are much bigger baddies out there than Picture House. If Milliband and his chums promise to legislate to enforce the LLW if they win the General Election, this would be one more reason for me to vote Labour."

Zebedee Tring, I didn't know that actually, but thankee kindly! Bigger baddies or not, the employees in this case are currently on strike, risking their jobs and livelihoods. That is a quite remarkable thing. Hence my support for them. Sadly, the employees of the bigger conglomerates feel powerless and are not striking, so nothing we can do at present to help them.

Until, as you say, a more compassionate government changes the law. However, like you I think, I doubt if Labour will promise to bring in a living wage. They are as much in the pockets of the banks and big business as the current crooks and shysters in government.

Zebedee - they are being highlighted because the workers have had the enormous courage, unlike most, quite understandably, to go on strike. What part of that sentence don't you understand.

Thanks Jah Lush.

Picturehouse is not small fry, it's part of the giant Cineworld group. And anyway, their staff aren't small fry either. They're ordinary workers. It's not a matter of being 'right on,' it's just that they've been on strike for a living wage and I want to support them by boycotting their cinemas. The Ritzy pretends to be 'right on' yet they can't pay a living wage. Even Ken Loach is backing them. As he says:

?It is sad and shocking that the Ritzy Cinema, which has an image of being radical and progressive, should fail to do this. It is hypocritical to sell fair trade coffee and then not pay a fair wage. Come on, Ritzy management, don?t ask the people who work for you to subsidise your business.?

They're being singled out because the staff have had the courage to go on strike. But ok, let's take a look at other local businesses.

You're asking me, and I am indeed posting here, and I've answered. Again, none of the staff in those pictures look like they're 17. They all look 20s or early 30s. And again, any business that cannot pay staff a living wage does not deserve to be in business.

Ask the workers. They don't look like they're 17 on their Facebook page. And I doubt there's anyone there just collecting tickets.

https://www.facebook.com/RitzyLivingWage

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2014/05/brixton-ritzy-staff-continue-their-strike-action-and-take-the-fight-to-hackney-photo-report/

You try living and paying rent on ?7.24 an hour...