The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

84 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN July, 1953 policy is simple, namely, that the principal countries which send dubbed films into Britain have, themselves, laws which insist that foreign films to be shown in a dubbed form in their own country must be dubbed there. We feel it only right that a similar policy should operate in this country, and an approach has been made to the President of the Board of Trade to amend the Cinematograph Films Act accordingly. The President has promised to consider doing this when the Act is next amended. Meanwhile, A.C.T. has decided that it should operate its policy through its laboratory membership. In trying to have this policy waived, the Italian producers have even gone to the length of calling in the Italian trade unions to join them in joint discussions with the B.F.P.A. British trade unions were not invited to this meeting and, to their credit, the B.F.P.A. representative expressed doubts about the propriety of such a meeting in the absence of the appropriate British trade union representation. Although they put it more delicately, the Italians apparently attempted to bribe the distributors of Italian films in Britain so that they will exert pressure on A.C.T. to modify its policy. The Italians have offered to set aside 25 per cent of the Fund raised from the importation of British films into Italy so as to reduce the costs of dubbing provided A.C.T. relents its policy. At the same meeting there was strong criticism of the policy of British film trade unions on the employment of British subjects on British films shot on location in Italy. Again, the Italians appear to want the best of both worlds and want an amelioration of the B.F.P.A. -Trade Union policy so that more Italian workers can work on British films. We regret that at no stage have we received an approach on these matters from the Italian trade unions. Naturally if they approach us we should be willing to meet them on any problem which they have to raise, but they should proceed in the right way and not try to operate employer pressure. Meanwhile, A.C.T. will continue to operate its policy both as regards the dubbing of foreign films and crews on location. The Electrical Trade Union is the first British trade union to have its own resident education College. I was privileged to be one of those at the official opening of Esher Place on 4th June. The College, once the home of Cardinal Wolsey, is steeped in tradition and the E.T.U. could not have found a more suitable home for their pioneer work. Naturally, the house has been modernised to make it suitable for its new purpose but to the great credit of the E.T.U. they have retained all the beauty of the old building. The officials taking us around pointed out many features of historical interest including one secret panel where Lord d'Abernon, at one time British Ambassador to Berlin, kept the Versailles Treaty. Amongst the attractions in the grounds is a 250-year-old tulip tree, one of four in England, and an open-air theatre, which the E.T.U. assured us they intend to use from time to time for its proper function. Whilst the main purpose of the College is naturally for educational work for E.T.U. members, the Union intends to open its doors to members of other unions from time to time and when this policy starts in the autumn I hope that A.C.T. members will be amongst those taking full advantage of the invitation to share in the E.T.U. 's educational service to its own members and the wider movement. NEW AGREEMENT for NEWSREEL MEMBERS Subject to approval by a general meeting of the Newsreel Section, the General Council, at its meeting on 1st July, endorsed the new Newsreel Agreement provided clarification and satisfaction was obtained on half a dozen minor points. The main features of the improved agreement are : 15/ on minimum weekly rates for lower grades, 10/ on the minimum for higher grades; although these are increases on minimums, everybody earning up to £15 will get at least 10/ increase, and they all date back to 1st January, 1953. Overtime Ceilings. Time-and-a-half is now paid for overtime by members earning up to £13 a week, the previous ceiling being £10. The straight-time ceiling is £18 15s. 0d.; previously overtime was not paid to members earning more than £15 a week. Increased allowances for outside staff, and for all staff working late or on early call. For the first time, there is provision for time off or financial compensation for outside staff who work a Saturday afternoon. £5,000 insurance for everyone — an increase of £2,000 insurance for the lower paid. Projectionists and maintenance arc now included in the agreement. Meetings will be held to discuss additional grades, including non-technicians. The new agreement will apply for 3 years and replaces the agreement negotiated in 1947. It reflects the steady improvement in the salaries and conditions of newsreel technicians since they first became organised in A.C.T. some twenty years ago. Dejection