The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

Kovember-Becember, 1945 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN !•_>:, Edited by Fred J. Hyson LAB. TOPICS Carry On, Mr. Elvin For the past tow weeks the chief subject under discussion in the labs has been the magnificent vietorj afforded ACT. over the employers. George Elvin lias described it truly when he declares that "A.C.T. gained its most important success." We in the labs feel that to a large extent the victory was made possible by our Erii mis in the other sections of the Union who. pledging their support at the Annual General Meeting, showed not only us but the whole of the industry the measure of their strength and the sincerity of their word so effectively displayed. The material gain of such help was invaluable, but greater still the moral help! At a recent Lab. Shop Stewards' meeting a resolution was unanimously adopted expressing the labs' debt of gratitude to our brothers and sisters in the studio. shorts and newsreel sections for their loyalty of spirit and unselfish aid so readily given that enabled the labs to carry on the fight until final victory was accomplished. The gratitude of the labs has been expressed in a tangible way. for many have sent donations to A.C.T. 's Benevolent Fund, some labs adopting the procedure of each member giving a sum equal to a week's increase in pay to the Fund, and done so willinglj . ORGANISER'S NOTEBOOK —(concluded) tions or wage rates. Another sore point is that some of those members do not even get the costof-living bonus. We do commend to the Pafhe Management that, at the very least, the terms of the now defunct Shorts Agreement should apply to the staff on the Pictorial and the Educational and Shorts side, until such time as a newShorts Agreement iias been negotiated. Further. that every employee should receive the A.C.T. cost-of-living bonus. We don't need in quote precedents for this, the Company can check with any laboratory, feature or shorts company. KODAKS:' A.C.T. continues to be active at Kodaks. Meetings of our members are frequently held on the Kodak premises. The Kodak Workers Production Committee support 100% the union's claim that the terms and conditions of the Laboratory Arbitration Award should apply to all employees in the Cine-Kodak section. No doubt, by the time this goes into print we shall have met the Management on this matter. New ground has been broken in the Film Coating Department, where a majority of the employees have joined the A.C.T. Mr. Ronald Collins has been elected shop steward of this department. Bert Craik In m\ reflections ovei the weeks of the struggle 1 felt that common-sens, ■ ami reason triumphed over hot-headed and impulsive suggestions, and our Shop Stewards are deserving of praise and appreciation tor their cool-headed and decisive planning. And what shall I saj about our Vitiating Committee'.' And the boys of Humphries who remained in the hour of trial sure and steadfast'.' To ipiote : " It was their finest hour." Wc salute VOU. We can celebrate the victory gained, but more important we must see to it that the Award is carried out to the last full stop, and furthermore to use every opportunity to create 100% membership in even lab. Is yOLIT lab Kl()% '.' If it isn't, ih ■ non-members are a danger to the whole structure of the Union, apart from the fact that such people are enjoying the fruits of the labours of your Committee, Shop Stewards and General Council — so get them in! It was Schweitzer, the great Congo medical missionary, who said "nothing is achieved without enthusiasm and sacrifice" —and that is the secret of the strength of our Union and the standard of conditions obtained throughout our industry today. One more word concerning the Award. There some who are not satisfied with their particular wage-rate. I know, I've heard them say so. But to those it must be apparent that the Award must be adhered to and we must endeavour to adjust their rates in the new Agreement. Back to Civvy Street Many of our members have returned from the services and we welcome them wholeheartedly. Things have changed enormously but not exis machinery. Many changes must take place in this direction, but it's good to know that the boys can return to their old jobs with as much ease as one returning from a holiday. One member did remark " What a change in wages, though ! With Medical Care Claud Soman, of Cinit Limited, Barnes, belies es in ensuring as far as possible good health among his employees. A doctor comes to visit the labs once monthly and has had nearly every member inoculated against colds, and a register is kept recording the health of each member. It is o to see that someone is conscious of the nee,- I of good health among employees Greetings To ensure punctuality, within reason, the Lab Committee and myself extend ■ 1 wishes and happy times to all our members and readers at Christmas time, with every good wish for a healthy and prosperous New Year.