The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

May, 1935 The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians Organising The Cine-Technician By George H. Elvin (Secretary and Organiser, The Association of Cine-Technicians) 17 We all know the story of the old lady who entered her mongrel dog for thoroughbred competitions — not for the prizes to be won, but for the company with which it would be associated. Similar reasoning might apply when summing up the advantages of joining an Association. Paradoxically, a member is indeed fortunate who always pays in and never draws out. How many members WANT to use the A.C.T. Employment Bureau ; who wants to work under sweated conditions so that the Association should have need to act ; is there a member or potential member anxious to avail himself of the Unemployment, Health and Hospital Benefits to which attention is drawn elsewhe're in this issue ; is there a member anxious to need legal advice ; and so on. No such member could be found, but should a technician be so unfortunate as to need any such benefits they are available. Modern economic conditions dictate that no one, whether emplover or employee, can afford to be without an organisation to look after his welfare. 000 On the other hand, there are secondary benefits of which all can take advantage. A desire has been expressed for educational activities and accordingly the Association intends to organise fortnightly throughout each wdnter alternate lectures and film shows at the Pathe Theatre, Wardour Street, W.l, by kind permission of Pathe Pictures Ltd. Three such functions have been organised this year as a prelude to a regular programme beginning next October. In addition, members are invited to attend the regular meetings of the British Kinematograph Society and Royal Photographic Society. Lastly, without the Association of Cine-Technicians there would not be this Joitrnal, and we are proud to take credit for publishing the only British Film Technical Journal. ♦ ♦ ♦ The membership of the Association is growing at no slow pace. There is no important Studio where we are without members and few where membership is not growing rapidly. But only when we are a hundred per cent, strong — a day not far distant — can the full benefits of membership be realised. We have not sought our members by force — or even rhetoric — but by quietly pointing out the advantages of membership. In time, we are confident these methods will bring every film technician into our Association when it will be to members' own interests to insist that only A.C.T. members sliall work in a British Studio. 000 The term "closed shop" is one which frightens some persons. Why should it ? Let me quote the leading article of a prominent "daily" in reference to Equity's dispute on that question : — "There is no half-way house between the open shop and the closed shop. There is no half-Way house, that is, between a disorganised profession, helpless to check abuses, to standardise conditions, or to negotiate for better ones, and an organised profession. ...'., Equity brings no menace to the good producer. On the contrary, it offers a simplification on many problems and a recognised channel of discussion." Equity has won its battle and managements generally realise that the profession as a whole will benefit. Similarly, the Film Industry will benefit when all technicians realise the benefits of organisation. Most of them are doing so, from the lowest to the highest grade. We feel sure the rest will soon fall into line. What has A.C.T. done during the past quarter ? It has prepared a questionnaire on hours and conditions which is at present in circulation. On its return, the Association will be able to prepare a full statement of salaries, hours and conditions in the Film Industry. Already, one Executive has assured us that it will be pleased to remedy any anomaly in its own Studio conditions that the results may disclose. We are equally confident that other Executives will act similarlv. Through our Employment Bureau we have been able to find situations for several of our disengaged members. There are still many unemployed, through no fault of theirs or ours, but all Studios have been notified of this feature of our work and we are pleased to note that several of them have promised to utilise this Bureau as and when additional staff is required. Contact has been established with the appropriate authorities and the Association's opinion is taken on application for a permit to work in this country by a technician from abroad. Our Employment Bureau is used as the barometer for guidance in these cases. Constant touch is maintained with members by the General Council and officers through the medium of District Meetings, and w^e are pleased to note the following resolution which was unanimously passed at a recent meeting of Elstree Technicians : — "This meeting of Elstree Film Technicians expresses confidence in the Association of Cine-Technicians as the sole organisation catering for film technicians of all departments and grades, and notes with pleasure its recent activities on behalf of members." 000 Unemployment, Health and Hospital Benefits are now available to members as a result of negotiations carried on throughout the past few months. Educational facilities have been mentioned earlier in these notes and the Journal speaks for itself. 00^0 The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at the Poland Rehearsal Rooms, 49 Poland Street, W.l, on Monday, May 27th, at 9 p.m., when it is hoped as many members as possible will be in attendance to hear a full report of the past year's work and elect officers for the ensuing year.