The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

34 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN March-April, 1953 Vontutuino Ueortjv Mi hi it's report on Russia between British and Soviet film workers was wanted — a British delegation would be very much welcomed to the Soviet Union, and if a Soviet Union film-trade union delegation was invited to visit Great Britain the invitation would be accepted with alacrity. The wages structure of the Soviet Union is almost more complex than the structure in some British industries, and it was, therefore, not easy to find out in exact details the terms of remuneration of film workers. Three main principles determine the wages structure: (1) the quality and the quantity of work done; (2) the principle of equal pay for equal work, both as regards age and sex; (3) the conditions under which the workers are employed. For example, those who work under abnormal working conditions receive additional pay. All those workers for whom a norm of production can be fixed are employed on piece-rates, these total about 70 per cent, and the remaining 30 per cent are on a fixed wage. These principles and methods result in big differences in earnings. From people I met the monthly wage for manual workers varies from 600 to 3,000 roubles a months, and incentive and other bonuses In a Moscow School increases the individual's wage by an average of about 35 per cent. Broadly speaking, therefore, incomes vary between £20 and £100 a month. The normal production is fixed by the well-known time and motion study principle, but we were assured that whilst it might be correct to describe the system facietiously as the " Bedeaux System " it would be more accurate to say their method was a time and motion study system humanely operated, the trade unions and the workers concerned participating. Overtime is strictly restricted by Law to 120 hours a year, and even then all overtime must be approved by the appropriate trade union officials. Wages for film laboratory works vary from 900 roubles ("£22 10s.) a month to 1,500 roubles (£37 10s.) a month. Bonuses for increased output increase these wages generally by 20 per cent to 25 per cent. On top of this bonuses are paid for long service. Incomes can, therefore, be translated reasonably accurately into British terms as between £7 and £12 a week. In film production, outside laboratories, salaries are comprised of three parts. The first principle is a fixed wage which is paid whether in production or not. Four typical grades were given to me as follows : Director — 3,000 roubles (£75) a month. Cameraman — 2,500 roubles (£61 10s.) a month. Sound Mixer — 2,000 roubles I £50) a month. Electrician — 1,000 roubles (£25) a month. In addition each technician negotiates an individual contract for each production. This is made up of the above figure plus an excess rate according to the category of the worker. His category is based upon the standing and reputation of the individual concerned and there are, for example, four categories for film actors and three for film technicians. On top of the basic wage and individual contract, the technician is also entitled to a bonus at the end of production provided the film is delivered under schedule, within budget, and the quality is approved by the State Cinema Council. The State Cinema Council is comprised of the best rank and file workers, top ranking actors, trade union officials and officials in the film ministry. The bonuses vary according to the contribution of the individual to the finished film, but I was told at the top, for example, the film director's bonus may be as much as 50,000 roubles to 100,000 roubles, that is £l,250-£2,500. When it is realised that bonuses on this scale, or proportionately reduced for other technicians, are paid in addition to the basic salary and individual contract, it is clear that film technicians are well paid. Indeed, I was told that they are considered to be in a privileged class. The same principles apply to all types of production, that is feature, shorts and newsreels. There is a special Shop Committee in each Studio to discuss the film during production and to make suggestions. I was told they could, to put it crudely, tell the Director how to direct and the Producer how to produce, in other words all aspects of film production are within the terms of reference of the committee. If there is a disagreement between the Director and/or Producer and the Committee, the disagreement is referred to a Special Committee at the Film Ministry. The working week is 48 hours, comprising six days of eight hours each. Annual holidays are generally four weeks on full pay, plus, of course, public holidays. The Trade Unions are organised on a strict industrial basis. Every worker in a particular industry is in that industry's trade union, whatever job he or she docs. Film workers are in a section of the Political and Education Institution Workers' Trade Union. The Organisation of the Union is very similar to over here, that is, it functions throueh shop committees, district committees up to the Central Committee, and through them to the All Union Central Council of Trade Unions. Trade Union subscriptions are 1 per cent of a worker's wages. Industrial safeguards are exclusively a matter for the trade unions who have the power of the State in factory protection. There is no closed shop although most of the workers are in their appropriate trade union. I was told organisation is approximately 90 per cent. Trade Unions have naturally somewhat different functions than those in this country, and their main jobs are local negotiations, including negotiation of incentive bonuses, factory protection, and safetv and welfare of the workers generally. The Trade Unions own 1,200 rest homes and sanatoria, and in addition, many other sanatoria are owned by the Ministry of (Continued on page 39)