The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

September 1955 CINE TECHNICIAN 137 ducers still in the business. The ethical standpoint apart, it is my belief that they are fundamentally wrong on the lowest level of their own assumption. There is, and always will be, a small section of the public which is attracted to the unhealthy and sensational in entertainment. They are a minority, as is proved over and over again by the character of the films which in fact draw the largest crowds and break the records. Every year almost without exception the leading box office grosses are held by films carrying " U " certificates and in which none of the elements which are the subject of this article appear. The Board believes that the policy it is pursuing in regard to violence and brutality is not only justified on moral and social grounds, but is also in the best long-term interests of an industry which depends for its prosperity on its wide and universal appeal. The T.U.C. Acted A S a footnote to the foregoing **■ article on brutality we draw attention to the following passage from the T.U.C. General Council's report for 1955: Following the resolution of the 1953 Congress on the subject of films of brutality and violence, and as reported to Congress last year, local Trades Councils were asked by the General Council to help in giving effect to the resolution by assisting in developing a healthy public opinion about the quality of films shown in the localities. Subsequently a number of Trades Councils reported to the General Council efforts which they were making in this connection. One such report asked the General Council specifically to seek the co-operation of cinema owners. The British Film Producers' Association and the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association were, therefore, approached on this matter. Both these bodies expressed their agreement with the general terms of the resolution of the 1953 Congress and assured the General Council of their interest in the efforts which local Trades Councils were making to give effect to it. It was recognised that the Trade Union Movement represented a substantial body of public opinion, which it would be unwise to ignore. BERT CRAIK OUTLINES EXECUTIVE'S POLICY ON EXCESSIVE OVERTIME IN LABS NO SEVEN-DAY WEEK THE film laboratory processing industry is on the crest of a boom such as it has never before experienced. More cine film is being developed and printed than ever before. Laboratories are almost bursting at the seams in an endeavour to cope with the additional demands made on them by Commercial Television companies. Most laboratories are searching for extra staff and as few, if any, skilled laboratory technicians are available, staff is having to be trained. In this setting there has been a call for additional overtime and in some cases a seven-day working week. It almost seems inevitable that television companies will expect a service enabling them to broadcast on every day of the week. How do we cope with this situation when it is already known that long hours of work lower industrial efficiency, and when it is also known that laboratory technicians in responsible jobs have suffered in health because of pressure of work? Two things are certain; A.C.T. will oppose the seven-day working week and it will oppose excessive overtime, indeed, our Executive Committee is very concerned that certain laboratory employers are seeking to introduce a seven-day week and, therefore, have decided to issue immediate instructions that under no circumstances should members work for these suggested periods. This decision was reached after very careful thought and went out in the form of a circular which set out the following reasons for the instructions: 1. For many years A.C.T. have fought for a 44-hour week and improved wage conditions for laboratory technicians to ensure that leisure-time can be enjoyed. In fact the arbitrators in the recent laboratory dispute suggested that the F.L.A. and A.C.T. should explore the possibility of a 40hour week due to the conditions under which laboratory technicians work. 2. Excessive overtime is a detri ment to good health, and also invariably reduces the quality of work. 3. Owing to the shortage of trained laboratory technicians such excessive hours would place undue strain on the trained personnel. 4. It must be made clear that there is no objection to reasonable overtime as provided for in the Agreement or arrangements already agreed for newsreel week-end work, i.e., twelve week-ends per annum. 5. Any departure from the abovementioned Agreements would seriously jeopardise them, and would inevitably bring back to the laboratories a seven-day working week. The Executive Committee realised only too well that certain developments in the industry may call for change and arranged a special meeting of the Laboratory Committee to examine the whole position. The Laboratory Committee having considered the problem felt that all it could do at this stage was to oppose the principle of a regular seven-day working week and expressed the opinion that the circular issued by the Executive Committee adequately covered the situation. It seems rather strange that when national newspapers and the Trades Union Congress are talking of automation as the way leading to a shorter working week we have a position in the film industry in which there is a danger of excessive overtime. In conclusion, therefore, we reiterate quite firmly that A.C.T. policy, in line with general trade union policy, is for a shorter working week, and while continuing to observe the terms and conditions of the agreement with the Film Laboratory Association, we shall strongly oppose both excessive overtime and a seven-day working week. We are quite certain that the Film Laboratory Association will ask for talks with us should the question of coping with the requirements of the film and television industries become too great a problem.