Although a projectionist union picket line on Thursday forced the cancellation of Century Theatres opening events for the second straight day, theater representatives said the 18-screen multiplex will still open tonight as planned — even if picketing continues.
Picketers from the Motion Picture Projectionist and Video Technician Local 110 outside the Church Street Plaza theater Thursday night said they would continue the protest today and that they thought the picket line would prevent the theaters’ opening for a third time.
Union members began picketing Wednesday, contending that Century Theatres wrongfully refused to hire the union’s workers. Construction workers followed union courtesies and left the building site when the projectionist union picketers arrived.
Wednesday’s picketing delayed final construction and city inspection of the multiplex, causing Century Theatres officials to cancel the night’s charity event. Thursday’s two benefit grand opening galas also were canceled because of construction and inspection delays.
Representatives with Century Theatres declined to comment further about the picketers or the delays. Construction inside the theater was still underway Thursday night.
Picketers apologized for delaying the charity events but said the abnormal hiring practices of Century Theatres call for protests. They said other theater companies such as General Cinema, Loews Cineplex and Meridian Entertainment do not discriminate against union projectionists.
After five years of planning, the first phase of Church Street Plaza — a $90 million entertainment, residential and retail complex — was scheduled to open Wednesday with the theater’s benefit film festival and private reception.
Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton said the city would not interfere in the private labor dispute, but that a theater representative told her Thursday afternoon the multiplex would open today, even if picketers were still at the plaza.
“I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth,” she said. “The theaters will open (Friday).”
Representatives from Century Theatres, property developer Arthur Hill & Co. and two Evanston Rotary clubs had planned a benefit for Thursday for five local charities: The Cradle, Youth Organizations Umbrella, Better Existence with HIV, Fellowship of African-American Men and Christmas in April.
A second event, benefitting the Gene Siskel Film Center for the Art Institute of Chicago at Century Theatres’ CineArts 6 — a six-screen arthouse attached to the 12-screen multiplex — also was canceled Thursday.
Frank Paul, fund-raising chairman for the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, said Thursday’s benefits had both been rescheduled for Nov. 30 and that efforts were being made to inform the 2,000 people who planned to attend of the change. He said although he was disappointed at the postponement, he was pleased with the theater’s efforts to contribute to Evanston.
“I’m really happy with everything they’re doing,” he said. “They’ve worked really hard and are a terrific addition to the community.”
