The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

146 The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians Feb. -March, 1937 A Federation of British Film Producers ? GEORGE H. ELVIN Comments on Neville Kearney's New Year Suggestion ON November 21st, A.C.T. presented proposals to studios, laboratories and newsreel companies as a basis of discussion for negotiation of an agreement with reference to conditions of employment and salaries of film technicians and laboratory workers. On December 10th an agreement was signed between the Association of Cine-Technicians and Gaumont-British Picture Corporation in respect of salary rates and working conditions for members of the Association employed at the Corporation's studios at Shepherds Bush. On January 1st, Neville Kearney, Secretary of the Film Group of the Federation of British Industries, published an article in the New Year issue of the "Daily Film Renter," entitled "A Federation of British Film Producers ? " The chronological order appears significant. The nature of Mr. Kearnev's article seems to confirm this view. The F.B.I, is a federation of manufacturers whose Charter of Incorporation precludes it from dealing with labour matters. It is, therefore, suggested by Mr. Kearney that an organisation representative of the production side of the film industry should be formed whose function should be to deal with labour and all other matters of concern to the trade. The following are extracts from the views put forward : "In these days of organised labour it is essential that employers should band together for the purpose of cooperative negotiation with their employees. This does not suggest 'fighting' labour or attempting to impose unreasonable conditions. On the contrary, co-operative action on the part of employers may well result, and in fact almost invariably does result, in the adoption of better all-round conditions of employment and, by the faithful observance of reasonable agreements entered into between responsible representative bodies, a better understanding with employees, and reduction, of the risk of labour disputes. "The film industry has nothing to fear from the activities of labour organisations. It has always paid good salaries and wages to its employees and offered good working conditions. There is no doubt whatever that in a large number of cases individual workers in film studios as well as representative unions, would prefer general conditions of employment to be negotiated with a representative body of employers rather than by particular negotiations with a number of different enterprises. And this applies not only to technical workers and artisans, but to artistes as well, not excluding leading artistes. "The point, therefore, of this article is that the time has now come when all interests connected with the production side of the industry should get together and set up, without loss of time, a really re])resentative trade association capable of dealing with all matters, including labour questions, that are of concern to the trade. Such an organisation might well include, in different sections correlated through committees and a general council, all branches of the industry concerned with production, and not merely the makers of feature films as at present. That, however, is a matter of detailed organisation, into which it is not my present purpose to go. 'T commend the suggestion, and am convinced that such an association would be of inestimable help in still further building up our production industry on a solid and dignified basis, and that its establishment would, at the same time, effectively answer the by no means wholly unjustified criticism that the industry needs organisation." We have no quarrel with Mr. Kearney's suggestions generally. In fact, for many reasons they are to be welcomed. It is difficult for any labour organisation to maintain uniform conditions in an industry always having frequent newcomers, and so many particularly of the onepicture variety. A general labour code to which such employers would have to subscribe should be welcome, particularly by those employers who observe fair conditions, and by all employees' organisations. Further, if such a code contained a financial clause showing available funds for salaries and wages over a prescribed period, and without which production could not be commenced (similar to that imposed in the theatrical world) we should be saved many of these unsuccessful efforts to produce films on insufficient capital which leave behind a wreck of liabilities and are responsible for much of the bad financial reputation attached to the film industry. ^^'e hope employers will particularly note Mr. Kearney's views on the wisdom of a federation such as he suggests and the general advantages which should result alike to employers, employees, and the industry generally. But as an employees' organisation A.C.T. cannot overlook another aspect of such a federation, particularly in view of recent developments. Employers in the laboratories and newsreels have, as Mr. Kearney must be aware, combined in a loose form along the lines he suggests. They are acting collectively in replying to A.C.T. 's standard Agreement. At this juncture we do not wish to say anything which may be detrimental to future negotiations, but we feel we must point out that if employers feel that collectively they are strong enough to refuse to negotiate with an organisation re])resentative of their employees, which has approached them in a reasonable manner, then they themselves must take responsibility for any subsequent action which their employees are forced to take. The Agreement between the Association and GaumontBritish is the first ever negotiated between a British film company and its technicians. It is significant that one of the largest British film companies has been willing to negotiate such an agreement. Throughout, the negotiations were cordial and both parties to it are, we feel sure, confident that the stabilisation of working conditions and salaries will be to the mutual benefit of both employers and employees, and will ensure a continuance of the happy relationship which has always existed between them. Other studios have already commenced negotiation with A.C.T. We do trust, therefore, that the laboratories and newsreel companies will, particularly in the light of the above information and Mr. Kearney's article, accept the request of