Following on from intimidatory efforts by bosses at Cineworld’s Picturehuse subsidiary, including redundancies which critics say seem aimed at scaring union organisers into silence, pickets are going strong tonight in the second day of strike action to win the London Living Wage and basic rights.

The 12-month campaign has seen solidarity from all over the capital, including film-makers, food firms, supporters in the local community (and their dogs, above) and even the Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville, fresh from his recent cathartic “Hackney question time” trying to explain continuing gentrification of the borough.

In a particular blow to Picturehouse’s carefully curated progressive and grassroots credentials, documentary Hear to be Heard, the story of the first all-girl punk band, has switched to the BFI Southbank for their Sunday Screening.

The two groups out tonight are Hackney Picturehouse workers and Central Cinema staff, in defiance of efforts by the multinational chain to strikebreak by firing anyone who takes part.

Picturehouse pays £9.30 per hour compared to the living wage of £9.75, and is also refusing to acquiesce over calls for sick pay, maternity pay and recognition of the strikers’ union Bectu.