Striking workers and supporters gather outside the cinema. Image: Tom Roseingrave.

Workers at East Dulwich Picturehouse staged a walk-out yesterday in protest at wages, zero-hours contracts and lack of sick pay.

The workers, represented by trade union BECTU, left the cinema at 1 pm and were greeted by the applause of supporters outside.

#EastDulwich staff are on strike! Demo for @picturehouses @cineworld Living Wage is on now ✊ pic.twitter.com/C8H9uuqG5p

— CEPH Living Wage (@CEPHlivingwage) April 15, 2017

Following yesterday’s excellent strike and 150-strong demonstration in East Dulwich (which we had a reasonable… https://t.co/MWUmfykYZC

— Lewisham Momentum (@lewishamforcor1) April 16, 2017

Several branches of the Picturehouse chain have held industrial action previously, including the Ritzy in Brixton and the Hackney Picturehouse.

The main demand of the workers is that they are paid the London living wage.

The £9.75 hourly rate is calculated by the Living Wage Foundation and reflects the cost of living in the capital.

The workers are currently paid £9.10 per hour.

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Yet a Picturehouse spokesperson maintained that the company has for many years been paying wages that are well above the legal minimum.

The London living wage is a voluntary scheme, and is not required by law.

Cineworld, the parent company of the Picturehouse chain, made a post-tax profit of £93.8 million in 2016.