Film and TV Technician (1957)

February 1957 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN Tfcfr K^ittitft of Modecrt Aft 19 THE ANNUAL GENER ALT MEETING THE Annual General Meeting, -* which will be held at the Beaver Hall, Garlick Hill, Cannon Street, E.C.4, on Saturday, 9th March, and Sunday, 10th March, is the one great opportunity which every member of A.C.T.T. has to express his views on Union policy and to help in the shaping of that policy for the ensuing year. We hope that all members who can possibly do so will seize that opportunity and come, ready with their views and any constructive criticisms that they may have to offer so that the incoming General Council can tackle its task in 1957 with a full knowledge of what is in our members' minds. In this way the Union leadership will be enormously strengthened for such struggles as may lie ahead. In one direction in particular the A.G.M. of 1957 is breaking new ground. For the first time a special effort is being made to see that A.C.T.T. shops in the Midlands shall be adequately represented. This is a direct outcome of the growing importance of our Television membership and special arrangements are therefore being made for transport and accommodation for members who are able to make the journey from the Midlands to London. This year's A.G.M. comes at a time when the future of the British film industry is under debate in Parliament and it is therefore not surprising that the agenda should contain a number of resolutions designed to ensure the healthy growth of the industry, with a consequent increase in security for all trade unionists working in it. These resolutions include a call upon the government to revise its policy toward the cinema in order to ensure generous and imaginative sponsorship of documentary films to make known at home and abroad the problems and achievements of the British people. Another resolution calls for the establishment of a National Film Unit under a National Film Board. The establishment of a National Film Circuit is also called for. The setting up of a fourth circuit has for long been part of the policy of A.C.T.T. and the other unions concerned with the film industry. Naturally the agenda paper carries a number of resolutions dealing with Television. One, in the name of the General Council, reaffirms A.C.T.T.'s policy of lOCr membership in the appropriate grades in Television. It also draws the attention of the Postmaster General and the T.U.C. to the fact that the B.B.C. still refuses to recognise A.C.T.T. in the Television field and asks for the wholehearted support of members in any action that may be deemed necessary for the establishment of trade union standards in this field of work. In the name of the General Council, too, there is a composite resolution dealing with the effects of Government policy on the living standards of trade unionists in general. This motion protests in strong terms against the increased charges under the National Health Service, the increased cost of transport and the new Rents Bill. The resolution instructs the incoming General Council to take all necessary steps to resist any attempt to reduce living standards as a means of solving the nation's economic problems. What we have outlined above are some of the more important items which A.G.M. will have before it for debate. There are many others which closely touch the interests of every member of the Union. March 9th and 10th will provide you with the opportunity of doing your part to see that those interests are protected. REMEMBER THOSE DATES. This is Urgent A.G.M. PROVINCIAL MEMBERS' REPRESENTATION Accommodation is still urgently required for provincial Television members attending the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee therefore appeal to all members in the London area who are in a position to do so to offer such accommodation. Please advise Head Office without delay, either through your Shop Steward, by telephone to Gerrard 8506, or alternatively by completing the form below and posting it to Head Office, 2 Soho Square, London, W.l, staring whether you can accommodate one or more members for the night of Saturday, 9th March, 1957. To Association of Cinematograph, Television and allied Technicians, 2 Soho Square, London, W.l. I can accommodate (number of members) for the night of Saturday, 9th March, 1957. (NAME) (ADDRESS) (Telephone number )