The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

134 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN October, 1953 LAB TOPICS by A If Cooper REDUNDANCY has again reared its ugly head in the Labs. If it is genuine that is one thing but if it be, as some people suspect, a softening agent prior to Agreement Negotiations, then we know well how to apply a hardening process. Negotiations for the new Agreement should start before the next issue of the Journal, if everything goes according to plan. Your Lab Stewards' Committee have now submitted the draft document to the General Council for endorsement, which, I think, will be forthcoming. It will then be ready for immediate presentation to the F.L.A. The road to a new or revised Agreement is very arduous and uphill, apart from all the usual wrong turnings to be found on the way. The only method to get this load to the other end of the road is the tried, tested and proved method, which is for everybody, yes, everybody, including yourself, putting the whole of their weight behind the Negotiating Committee and the local Shop Steward and Comittee. There Is No Other Way Whatever the outcome of the Negotiations may be, it is only right for you to know that the Lab Committee and its Sub-Committee have put in a lot of time and hard work on behalf of us all in getting this document ready with the clauses, etc., worded to fit in with the requirements of all the different shops. This is the first time that the Lab Section has been able to get one document compiled to cover all aspects of Film Processing whether they be colour, B. & W. or clerical. Such a document, apart from all the other points in its favour, should bring us more together in the future than we are even today; all our problems will now have the same textbook in which to find the answers. One further point to remember is, it should also be a great help to us all in this great swing over from B. & W. to colour in maintaining the existing personnel in the Labs rather than finding, as we so often do now, employees in the co'our world and unemployed members from the B. & W. Labs. IT is not often, writes Stan VVarbey, that the daughter of an ex-lab worker becomes a film star, so step up and take a bow Gillian, whose mother, Mrs. Pain Hubbard, was screen viewer until a short time ago at Pathe's Elstree laboratory. Gillian has been appearing in scenes of The Weak and th<Wicked with Glynis Johns and Jane Hylton and made quite a " hit " with everyone. It is not yet known whether she intends to make films her career — you see she is only live months old, but when asked recently what in her opinion was wrong with the film industry today, she simply gurgled and went to sleep . . . which, you must agree, is fair comment. Ice shows are quite popular with us, and a party of forty recently visited Chu Chin Chow on Ice at Wembley, including wives and friends of members. All agreed it was an enjoyable evening, which included a coach to and from Boreham Wood, and plans are in hand for a visit to Humpty Dumpty around Christmas time. It was nice to see Ernie Couzins, Pathe's Wardour Street laboratory grader, at Elstree for a couple of days, looking cheerful although a little thinner after a spell of illness. He told us of a rather frightening experience that he had whilst in hospital. It happened a couple of days after his operation, when Ernie was still feeling pretty groggy. Waking from a nap he opened his eyes and there by his bedside stood a parson ! " I really thought it was my lot," Ernie told us, " until the parson expained that he was just on a routine visit to those in his parish — of course I can see the funny side of it now." I am sure that all lab members will be as bewildered as we were to find the Cost of Living Index dropping a point; I can only suggest that the Government department send their staff to help our wives (and married lady members of A.C.T.) purchase the shopping and show them where the drop has occurred and convince them that nothing has really gone up in price. The result might be interesting. The Contingency Fund, for which subscriptions are now being collected, had the strong backing of the Laboratory Branch and will give all shops in A.C.T. added strength in any dispute which may arise with their respective employers. Contrary to opinions of the national press, trades unions do not resort to industrial action for fun. Invariably it is the outcome of abortive negotiations or refusal to negotiate at all by the employers. When such circumstances arise we must be sure of the finance to support ourselves in any action we may take. That is the purpose of the Contingency Fund. FROM Humphries comes a report that the George Humphries Photographic Society will be holding their third annual exhibition during November 1953 at the firm's premises in London. This year's cxhi bition is likely to surpass 1952 in the number of pictures on view, and once again Mr. Dennis Wratten of Kodak will be one of the judges. The " Murray Cup " offered for the picture which in the opinion of the judges is the finest exhibit among the prize-winning competitors has been won so far by Mr. Harold Hutchins of Control in 1951. and Mr. Peter Bird of 16mm. in 1952. Generous support from the Chairman and Directors, together with donations in cash and kind from Messrs. Kodak, Gavaert, Pictorial Machinery, May & Baker and Johnsons of Hendon, have in the past years sustained a comprehensive prize list. Competition is very keen and excellent and the standard of past years shows promise of being even hotter this year. The Dart Club had their annual outing on the 19th September, this year to Southend. As usual there was the normal good supply of refreshments — solid and liquid. A very good day was had by all. We are now looking forward to the start of our new League fixtures.