The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

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March-April, 1953 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 39 Health and very large factories. 2,700,000 workers stayed in the trade union sanatoria last year, l/5th free of charge and the remaining 4/5ths paying not more than 30 per cent of the cost. I visited a number of the sanatoria and was impressed by their medical efficiency, excellent service and the friendly atmosphere. The social insurance schemes are administered by the Trade Unions on behalf of the State. The scheme is free, that is no contributions are paid, with, surprisingly enough, the same sort of exceptions as there are in this country, that is mainly spectacles and minor dental repairs, for which small charges are made. There is no provision for unemployment benefit as there is no unemployment. During temporary idleness, such as re-tooling of a Factory or between productions in a film studio, the basic wage is paid each week. Sick benefit is paid for indefinite periods at a rate varying between 60 per cent and 100 per cent of a worker's earnings according to the nature of his job and the length of his employment. Benefit is also paid to workers released from their work to look after a sick member of the family if circumstances require it. Pensions are paid in respect of old age, long service and loss of bread-winner. Workers in heavy and other special industries receive pensions at the age of 50, provided they have 20 years' service. In other industries, including films, this is 60 for a man and 55 for a woman. The pension continues even if the recipient continues his job or takes up other employment. The pension is generally at the rate of 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the individual's pay. In the event of a dispute between the workers and the employer, there are the same sort of levels of dispute machinery as in this country, that is provision for discussion at factory level, through a local grievance committee, through a district com In an unofficial capacity George enjoys a visit to the Children's Railway mittee, through the Executive Commitee of the Trade Union concerned, or finally, through a joint committee of the A.U.C.C.T.U. and the Government Ministry. Few disputes go as far as this last stage and never has there been failure to reach a settlement. We were told that as the interests and outlook of the trade union and State are identical, both being concerned with the welfare of the workers and the State as a whole, the question of a breakdown is out of the question. We were completely unable to pursue satisfactorily what would happen in the event of there being a failure to agree at this stage, the repeated retort being it just couldn't happen. The basic agreements for industry are fixed by the joint committee of the A.U.C.C.T.U. and the State. Individual unions at central and local level concern themselves with the details, including the settlement of the norms of production. This is rather a colourless and factual report on what I was able to find out about the film industry and trade union machinery, but as those persons at the A.C.T. meeting I addressed will have gathered, the trip as such was very far from colourless and provided both a fine experience to have had the opportunity to visit the Soviet Union, to travel around fairly extensively, and to meet many of their citizens. The delegation was received with overwhelming friendliness, but that did not prevent spirited discussions on a number of issues. I believe our hosts were sincere when they expressed their wish for strengthening the friendship between the British and Soviet workers, and I am sure that all film technicians will share and welcome this general desire, whatever their own individual views on the Governments and way of life of our respective countries.