CINEMA workers at Picturehouse cinemas in London walked out yesterday, beginning the first of three days of stoppages.

Members of broadcasting and entertainment union Bectu are embroiled in the second year of a pay dispute with the chain, which also involves cinemas in Brighton.

Bectu says Picturehouse and its owner Cineworld are refusing to negotiate on the union’s demand for the London living wage, recently increased to £10.20 an hour — above the statutory minimum wage of £7.50 for over 25-year-olds — along with sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption pay.