The Cine Technician (1938-1939)

July-August, 1938 THE CINE T ECHNICIAN 59 LAB TOPICS FUMES IN LABORATORIES The health of film laboratory workers should he the careful consideration of all lab managements. Every film lab should be equipped with an air-conditioning plant and up-to-date ventilation. This is the only way in which a continuous supply of pure air can be maintained. Let us consider the fumes in different parts of a film lab: First, we have the cleaning department. When cleaning is done by hand, methylated spirit is used. Imagine working in a room where the air is practically stagnant, and fumes are rising from cleaning benches into the atmosphere as the spirit evaporates after being wiped over the film. Then there are the developing rooms. When tanks are being cleaned, generous quantities of hydrochloric acid are used, the resultant fumes producing a choking sensation. Near by will be situated the chemical mixing department, with its preponderating smell of acids. In the positive joining and matching rooms amyl acetate pollutes the atmosphere, and in the printing rooms again acetate and the smell of unexposed film stock. Furthermore, 40% of lab employees work all day long in a dim red or green light, their air supply may be coming to them secondhand from another room and perhaps be loaded with acetate or other equally unpleasant fumes. Do not such rooms demand some method whereby the air supply can constantly he renewed? True, employers will tell you that factory insj)ectors on their regular visits have seldom iound cause for complaint. Probably this is because they are more concerned with precautions against fire. Their chief worry seems to be whether fire bells ring and swing doors operate properly, and how much film is being housed in a workroom above the regulation footage. The\ concern themselves more with what might happen than with whal is happening. It seems of little matter that workers are perhaps being deprived of fresh air for eight or more hours a day so long as they are safeguarded against fire. All film Laboratories should be equipped with airconditioning plants and first-class ventilation, and there should be a Home Office regulation making tins compulsory. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CLAIM A.C.T. has recently settled an important claim for one of its members. They approached General Film Distributors Ltd.. claiming arrears of salary due and payment in respect of irregular deductions tor National Health Insurance to one of its members who had recently been dismissed by the Company. The claim was successfully settled following conversations between Mr. Elvin and the Secretary of G.F.D., and a cheque for £6.10.0 has now been handed to Mr. Dyas, the member concerned. The settlement places on record an important point concerning a common practice of many companies. A.C.T. has always contended that it is irregular to deduct from employees' wages a sum equivalent to the National Health Insurance benefit received. A County Court Judge has said : "The job of the National Health Insurance Acts is to enable an employee to be in receipt of wages and insurance because he needs more, and the benefits are intended to help him to get better." The second half of the claim is equally important, as A.C.T. has always contended, with legal precendent, that an employer is not justified in stopping a servant's w ages because of temporary illness so long as employment has not been brought to an end. Judge Mellor, K.C., ruled in Fordham v. Schwaldt & Co., that an employee is entitled to demand a salary during sickness, a lading which has been upheld on many occasions recently. This is so, even when the employer gives the employee clearly to understand to the contrary. AGREEMENT DISCUSSIONS COMMENCE Laboratory members will be pleased to hear that the first meeting between the Laboratory Employers and A.C.T. to discuss a collective agreement covering wages and working conditions in laboratories has now taken place. The meeting was held on June 14th with Captain Paul Kimberley (National Screen Services) in the chair. Representatives of all except two of the laboratories were present. A.C.T. was represented by Mr. George H. Elvin (Secretary). Mr. Sidney Cole (Vice-President), Mr. R. Bartlett (General Council) and Messrs. H. Craik, F. Fuller and G. Hughes of the Laboratory Committee. An official statement issued by Capt. Kimberley after the meeting stated : — " A very good spirit prevailed at the meeting, and both sides realised they had a problem to faee. We are getting down to it with the object of bringing about a really amicable agreement thai would remove the possibility of any disputes in the industry — at least, so far as She laboratories are concerned." ( apt. Kimberley also stated that the employers and employees present at the meeting represented 85% of the recognised film laboratories of the country. Mi'. Elvin, mi behalf of A.C.T.. associated himself with the above remarks, and it was agreed that no other statement should be issued. It is hoped that a further meeting will be held shortly, w hen we hope to be able to give a much fuller report to our members. GOOD ADVICE At the Annual General Meeting of A.C.T., held on Sunday, Maj 8th", an address was given 1>\ Mr. H. H. Elvin, Chairman of the T.LT.C. The gist of his remarks was that a large number of workers who join unions consider they have fulfilled their obligations bv paying their weekly subscriptions, and expect to get all the benefits of trade unionism without anj further effort on their part. This is true, we ieel, of some laboratory members. Do your fair share of work — get new members — attend meetings— help to organise socials. Deputise for committeemen when necessary. Working for the Association as a whole you will, in the Long run, materially benefit yourself. ODDS AND ENDS Who's the lab man that refers to the "gummy" side of the film '? "Humidity?" queried the printer, "we don't use it, old man. Try the developers, they're wet enough!" (Co)itinucd on previous page)