Film and TV Technician (1957)

April 1957 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN 55 FIRST MEETING OF TV BRANCH ON the morning of Saturday, April 6th, there was held, in the York Hall, Caxton Hall, Westminster, the inaugural meeting of the Television Branch of A.C.T.T. The purpose of the meeting was to elect officers and to discuss the new draft agreement between the Association and the TV Programme Contractors. In view of the fact that there had already been a meeting of the Manchester members to pass this draft and these were, therefore, not present, and in view of the fact that very many members were on duty, the meeting was exceptionally large. Well over a hundred members were present. Ralph Bond took the chair. On the platform with him were Bert Craik, the Acting General Secretary, and four members of the negotiating committee VicePresidents Max Anderson and Charlie Wheeler, the TV Vice-President Desmond Davis and one of the TV General Council members, Tony Shine. Also on the platform was the President, Anthony Asquith. The President, in his opening address, welcomed the formation of the TV branch. He recalled how, twenty-three years ago, the then newly-formed ACT was regarded by the tycoons in Wardour Street as a bunch of trouble makers and pointed out that almost every reformer in history has started out with the stigma of " trouble maker ", in fact it is very nearly an essential visa on the passport to Westminster Abbey. The President congratulated the newly-formed branch on its birth and only regretted the absence through illness of the chief midwife, the General Secretary. Officers of the branch were then elected. They were as follows: Chairman — Desmond Davis. ViceChairman — Tony Shine. Secretary— Ivan Ager. Publicity Officer — Graham Turner. The meeting then moved on to discuss the main business of the day, the draft agreement. Draft Agreement Approved This discussion was full and lively and many most interesting comments and suggestions were made and duly noted for action by the negotiating committee. Several extremely useful and constructive points were raised by members and a small number of amendments were voted upon. It is particularly interesting to note that the very first amendment that was voted on and passed, and much of the discussion was aimed at ensuring smoother running and more efficient organisation in the television industry and it was strongly felt by many of those present that this was a gathering of people who were there not merely to grab what they could get but who wished, in a responsible manner, to contribute to the prosperity and efficiency of the industry in which they worked and to stake a reasoned claim in a share of that prosperity. After some two hours' discussion, it was moved that the meeting should authorise the negotiating committee to go ahead on the basis of the draft. This was voted upon and carried unanimously. Desmond Davis, the TV VicePresident, then rose to thank the members for their attendance. After emphasising very strongly the need for missionary zeal in recruiting, he warmly thanked the film members of the negotiating committee, Charlie Wheeler and Max Anderson for their hard work and skilful help in framing the draft agreement, Bert Craik and Paddy Leech for their gargantuan labours and Ralph Bond for chairing the meeting. The meeting ended on a most stimulating note when Len Runkle, on behalf of the Labs Committee, pledged the fullest, unquestioning support of the Laboratory members to their Television brothers in their impending negotiations. THE Annual General Meeting of J the Television Producer/Directors' Section was held on April 4th. Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: Chairman, Leonard Brett; Vice-Chairman, Andrew MillarJones; General Council representative, Robert Barr. It was decided to elect four deputies for the General Council representative to enable other members of the section to gain experience in the work of the General Council. The four elected were: John Warrington, Vivian Milroy, John Fitzgerald, and Cecil Petty. Robert Barr reported for the newly-formed advertising subcommittee which had been actively engaged in stimulating interest among members engaged in advertising. Some unrest was evinced at the TV Producer J Directors9 Section present policy of granting A.C.T.T. membership irrespective of qualifications or experience but after discussion it was realised that until such time as the Union has a majority power within television it was more important to build up membership figures. The first of the Bulletins on television demanded by the union A.G.M. has already been circulated. The section secretary, Paddy Leech, was complimented on the speed and efficiency with which the bulletin had been got out. With the enormous increase in television members and with the contractors' agreement about to enter its final stage the Television Producer/Directors' section are looking forward to an interesting and vitally important year. VIVIAN MILROY. FOR SALE 16mm. BELL HOWELL 70DL with 1 inch f/1.9 YVAR and 16mm. f/2.8 COOKE— IN CASE. EEL COLOUR TEMPERATURE METER. SUNDRY 2in. and 3in. square WRATTEN FILTERS ALL PERFECT SOME UNUSED. FOR SALE SUBJECT TO OFFERS BY CAMERAMAN TURNED DIRECTOR BRIGGS, 65 CARLTON HILL, N.W.8.