The Cine Technician (1938-1939)

24 T H E CINE T ECH.M C J A N .May-June, L980 that during this worst of years it not only prevented conditions deteriorating, but actually improved them in some extremely important respects. First and foremost, we have succeeded in negotiating an Agreement with the Laboratory Employers. Jt is early at present to survey the working of the Agreement, but on the whole it is clear that the majority of companies arc observing the Agreement not only in the letter but in the Spirit. A word of warning need only he said to one or two companies who are not following the excellent lead given by the majority of laboratory employers. CO-OPERATION Willi KINDRED ORGANISATIONS. It lias been a source of great satisfaction to us that we have now signed an Agreement with the Electrical Trades Union similar to the one which we already have with the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees, it has always been our policy to co-operate as far as possible with other employees' organisations in the industry, as we feel that b\ doing so not only will A.C.T. benefit, but organised employees generally. Another step in this direction is the arrangement we have come to with the Screenwriters' Association for close cooperation on matters of common interest. 1 am sorry fco say that the British Association of Film Directors has not been quite so co-operative, and as a Director myself 1 particularly regret this. J trust this is merely a temporary lapse in the close co-operation between directors as a whole and the rest of the technicians. Personally. I deplore tins false distinction between directors and other technicians and I think it would be an excellent thing if we followed the example of Hollywood and France, where they are both organised within the same federating group. HOW TO SUM (LATE PRODUCTION. Dealing with the future of the industry, the l'resident said it is obvious that the Quota Act as at present framed will not lead to the building up of a sound and prosperous British film industry. Quota rates are too low, and the whole function of the Act is merely to ensure that foreign renting interests make or acquire a certain number of films in this country. Jt does nothing whatever to stimulate voluntary production. While it is too much to hope for the revival of the separation of quota proposals we trust that the Board of Trade, in consultation with that somewhat elusive and secretive body, the Films Council, will try to devise some means of stimulating British production in the full sense of the word. A Films Dank or Finance Corporation has been mentioned. A.C.T. would welcome this provided there arc very full safeguards as to the control, not merely of the expenditure of the money, but also of the personnel to whom it is entrusted. We know the melancholy effects on the film industry when finance was last easily available. We do not want the persons who wasted money on that occasion to return to the industry and waste still more. Another hindrance to voluntary production has been the difficulty which producers have found of getting equitable terms from certain distributors and to remedy this it has been suggested that there should be a standard approved contract in order to ensure that the renter has a continued interest in the success of the film after he has recouped his initial advance. As an immediate step to stimulate production I would suggest the abolition of the treble quota film as is allowed by the Films Act. The advantages of double quota are sufficient to encourage, the production of the bigger type picture, and the abolition of treble quota would definitely ensure increased production. CONVERT THE 1 1 FAT NFS In conclusion. Mr. Asquith urged members not to slacken in their missionary efforts " There are still heathen to be converted, but J am glad to say they are increasingly few. Flatter them, bully them, if necessary blackmail them, but make them join the Association — because only when A.C.T. is 100 per cent strong will it be able to ensure proper working conditions for all technicians employed in the British film industry." SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT In moving the Report, Mr. George H. Flvin, General Secretary, reported that since the laboratory agreement was signed the laboratory section had increased its membership by over a hundred. /.. 1 BORA TOR V A GREEMENT BENEFITS He stated that an analysis ot the laboratory agreement benefits showed that of //m workers covered by the Agreement 57 per cent, had received wage increases, comprised as follows : — Increase of less than 5*. per week 2 p.c. Increase of between 5s. and 10s. per week ... 30 p.c. Increase of between 10s. and 15s. per week ... o p.c. Increase of bctwcoi 155. and 20s. per week <S p.c. Increase of over 20s. per week S p.c . On matters apart from wages, 40 per cent, had benefited from increased overtime rates, SO per cent, wen.' eligible to benefit from the non-deduction of a sum equivalent to National Health Insurance when away sick, and 70 per cent, were eligible to benefit through a longer period of payment of wages while away sick. A number of workers would also benefit in other ways, including reduced hours in two laboratories, additional holidays in one Laboratory, extra payment tor night work in another laboratory, and other minor benefits. The number who might be worse off under the agreement through receiving decreased overtime rates, which had now been standardised, was less than 1 per cent. Mr. Flvin criticised the scandalous fact that almost all the laboratory work done for the Government was dove by non-union labour i>i laboratories which did not pay Trade Union wages or observe Trade Union conditions, and he was pleased to report that following questions asked in the House of Commons the matter was being taken up jointly by A.C.T. and the Film Production FZmployers' Federation. THE BUDGET Die Chancellor of the Exchequer's film stock tax has staggered the film industry. Immediately the budget proposals were known A.C.T. protested to the Chancellor and asked him to reconsider the matter. Subsequently a fuller memorandum was presented, and on May 8th. Mr. G. H. Elvin and Mr. Thorold Dickinson together w ith Mr. George Woodcock of the T.TJ.C. amplified our objections to the Customs Officials. Mr. Tom Williams, M.P., was approached by the Association and made a strong protest in the House of Commons. The tax will cripple independent production and prevent the reabsorption of those technicians and workers who are to-day unemployed. Moreover, if the proposals go through the position will inevitably be further aggravated by displacement of labour in the newsreel. documentary and laboratory side of the industry, all of which will be severely affected by the proposals. A.C.T. will continue to make every effort to see that the proposals are amended and the British film industry be given the opportunity for a free and unfettered development.