The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

64 The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians Aug. -Oct., 1936 French Technicians' Improved Working Conditions and Salaries Readers will be aware that the organised workers in France have been able to bring about considerable improvements in their working conditions and wages as a result of laws passed by the new French Government immediately upon assuming office. These benefits have not escaped the film industry. A joint agreement has been negotiated on behalf of all film workers by the two organisations concerned, namely, Le Syndicat General des Travailleurs de L'industrie du Film and La Chambre Syndicale des Industries techniques de la Cinemato<raphie. Monsieur H. E. Darol (Mr. H. E. Earle) Treasurer of the technicians' organisation, who will be remembered by London Film technicians as editor of " The Ghost Goes West," has sent us a copy of the new working conditions and informs us that there has been a general increase in salaries of between 7% and 15% and that in certain cases the increases are as great as VS^'n. " It is indeed a great success," he writes, and concludes " I send fraternal salutations to all cine-technicians in my name and that of my colleagues." The principal clauses of the new agreement are : — Working Hours — (a) 40hour week. (b) No work on Sundays, Bank or Public Holi days, or night work. (c) Lunch break from 12 to 1.30. (d) A half-hour break after four hours where crew is required to work for a total of seven hours. Overtime — Total abolition of o\'crtime. When unavoidable circumstances make the extension of working hours necessary, e.xtra time cannot be worked without the authorisation of the appropriate Trade Union representative. All time worked after normal hours shall be paid for at double rates. Engagement of Staff — All vacancies are to be supplied from the appropriate Trade Union, from the unemployed records of that Trade Union. Termination of Employment — (1) Studio : Eight days' notice to be given if worker has been employed for more than one month, fifteen days' notice if worker has been employed for more than six months. Engagements of less than one month's duration must be specially contracted for. (2) Othcf Grades : No w^orker shall be dismissed within less than one month from the end of production. Holidays — (1) Studios : Fifteen days' holiday with full pay, per annum, for all workers who have been employed more than one year. Holidaj-s at a proportionate rate for persons employed for less than one year. (2) Works (Did Laboratories : In view of the fact that employment in Works and Laboratories is injurious to health, the minimum holiday shall be three weeks. Hygiene — General sanitary safeguards for health and hygiene of the workers. Accident and Illness — Victims of accident or illness .shall find their place open upon recovery. They shall be full}paid during sickness. Location — Persons re(|uired to work on location shall be paid an additional sum of 80 frs. (about £1) in addition to 15 frs. (about 4/-) for each meal. Salaries — Salaries are good judged purely from a monetary viewpoint, and compare favourably to rates in this country. In certain categories, particularly on the laboratory side, thej' ai"e greatly in excess of British rates. As a " real " salary, that is bearing in mind the short working week, holidays on pay, payment during sickness, they greatly exceed salaries paid in any other country, as the following extracts from the salary clauses ' denote : — French Technicians and Film Workers celebrating their recent victories by singing the " Marsellaise." FRENCH RATE. Approximate E(iuivalent EngHsh Rate Sound. Mixers 5000 frs. p. month. /1 5 per week Assistants 2500 ,, , , a 10/ ,, Sound Engineers, 5000 „ ,, £15 ,, Assistant ICngineers, 3000 „ ,, £9 >> Projectionists. Chief Projectionist, 3300 ,, , , £10 ,, First Operator, 2500 ,, ,, £7 10/ ,, Second ()]K'rator, ... 2100 ,. .. £6 5/ M Camera. I .inuici Operative, 800 „ per week £10 5/ M {Co)it /;;//(•(/ on /x/a'c 65)