The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

August, 1935 TJie Journal of the Associatiun of Cine-Technicians 43 Second Annual General Meeting The Second Annual General Meeting of the Association was held at the Poland Rehearsal Rooms, on Monday, May 27th. Fifty members were present, with Mr. S. H. Cole in the chair. Annual Report The Annual Report revealed continued progress, increased membership, and the accomplishment of much good work. The following are its main items : — Conditions of Employment. — A questionnaire has been circulated with a view to obtaining accurate records of salaries and conditions of employment. Acting upon information obtained through this source, one of the major companies has recently raised salaries in two of its departments' in order to bring them in line with those of other major studios. Recent departmental discussions led indirectly to a department in another major studio negotiating a minimum salarv for its first-grade technicians. Apprentice Schemes. — In an interim Report, an Apprenticeship Sub-Committee concludes that there are nine point essential to any Apprenticeship Scheme which might commend itself to A.C.T. These are : — (1) Full co-operation of major studios is essential. (2) Relationship should be established with schools and kindred bodies conducting courses in kinematography. Where necessary, alterations and amendments should be suggested to enable courses to l)e apjjroved both by A.C.T. and studios. (3) Scholarship schemes in conjunction with these courses should be instituted by A.C.T., studios, schools, and other educational bodies, in order to minimise economic disadvantages. (4) No premiums should be payable. (5) Any apprentice wiio lias passed through a recog nised course should serve a shorter qualifying period in the studio than one who has not. (6) Any person who has been an "apprentice" prior to the scheme and applies to A.C.T. Employment Bureau shall be interviewed by Council representatives with a view to deciding whether or not he can be recommended for suitable employment. Such persons should be placed in a Special Apprentice Grouping. (7) A.C.T. should draw up minimum rates of pay for all grades of tecimicians and no apprentice should be permitted to do a job in a studio for which he receives less than the recognised salary for that particular job. (8) Every apprentice should hold an A.C.T. Apprentice Ticket, which shall entitle him to attend lectures and film shows, and purchase Journal at member's rates. (9) The number of apprentices admitted to any one studio during any one year should be limited by agreement between the stu(Ho and bodies concerned. Co-operation with Kindred Organisations. — It is felt that some form of co-operation is desirable between the Association and kindred organisations and, as a first step, informal discussions have been held with representatives of the National Association of Theatrical Employees. Any eventual agreement, of course, will not impair the independence of either body. EmpSoyment Bureau. — Several firms and studios are taking advantage of the Association's Employment Bureau and, since January, permanent or semi-permanent engagements have been found for some twenty technicians. In addition, the Association has been instrumental in the engagement of several members for temporary and news-reel jobs. (N.B. — The number of members found employment has been more than doubled since the date of the annual report). Health and Hospital Benefits. — Full details of these lienefits were gi\'en in the last number of the Journal and need not, therefore, be repeated here. Members' attention, however, is drawn to the note on the Manor House Hospital on page 44. Foreign Technicians. — The Association has maintained its contact witii tlie .Ministry of Labour and has been effective in certain cases in preventing the employment of foreign tenchicians where British technicians were available. Legal Advice. — The Association has continued to give legal advice to members, but emphasises that, if this service is to be of help, members should consult the Association immediately anv assistance is required. "Journal " and Educational. — The Journal of tire Association has been very well received and a complete sale of the first number is assured. During the winter, lectures and films shows were organised by the Association and, commencing in October, such activities will be organised regularly throughout next winter. Through the continued co-operation and kindness of the Royal Photographic Society and the British Kinematograph Society, members have continued to be invited to attend their lectures and, in the case of the former, four A.C.T. members have been invited to lecture for them. Kinema Club. — The Kinema Club, 4 Denman Street, W.l, has offered to place one of its rooms at the disposal of A.C.T. for meeting purposes and make its general facilities available to members. A specially reduced subscription has been arranged, which will be borne by the funds of the Association. A.C.T. members, therefore, may join without cost to themselves. Members wishing to take advantage of this offer should apply to 'the Secretary or any Studio Secretary. Rules. — The Rules of the Association were entirely revised at a Special General Meeting on March 4th and copies will be available to members shortly. Conclusion. — The Annual Report concluded : "Tlie General Council would like to emphasise that the future of the Association is in members' own hands. With \'our