The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

January 1955 CINE TECHNICIAN 15 A.CT.'s GENERAL COUNCIL DECIDES . . . B.F.P.A. ARBITRATION: The General Secretary reported that the award of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal was an increase of the minimum rates for all A.C.T. members of 11/ a week retrospective to July 19th with a salary ceiling of £25 18s. 4d. This award was identical with original offer of the B.F.P.A., although more than the B.F.P.A. were prepared to concede at the Tribunal hearing. The award was disappointing, but there were certain good features about it, particularly in view of the very hostile attitude adopted by the B.F.P.A. It is clear that the Executive will have to consider further claims on the B.F.P.A., especially in the interests of members excluded from the present award. A.S.F.P. AGREEMENT: Apart from a few points upon which there should be little difficulty, the only outstanding item of substance is Clause 1, giving the scope of the Agreement and in particular the terms and conditions for making films for television. As soon as the A.S.F.P. and ourselves have crystallised it a further joint meeting will be held. FOREIGN TECHNICIANS: It was agreed not to oppose permits to Pandro Berman to produce Bhowani Junction and Quentin Derward and permit to George Cukor to direct the first film and Richard Thorpe the second, subject to assurance being received from that Company that apart from these individuals a full British Crew would be employed on both pictures. TOWERS OF LONDON LIMITED: The action of the General Secretary was endorsed, who had informed the Ministry of Labour that A.C.T. would oppose a permit to Miss Gloria Hellman, an American citizen, as a Co-ordinator of Production for television commercials. This permit was opposed on the following grounds: (1) The salary offered indicated that in the view of the Company the job was not a responsible one. (2) That the job described appeared to be one which is normally performed by A.C.T. members in film production under the title of Production Controller and a graded A.C.T. member could therefore do similar work for the company concerned, provided he received the proper rate for the job. (3) The Company's point of view that because no television commercials have till now been made in this country British technicians are inexperienced in the work required was false. HIGH DEFINITION FILMS: Further meetings are to take place with this Company, who are shortly going into full production with a view to establishing working conditions in line with Feature Agreement. WARWCK FILMS: Certain difficulties had arisen with this Company on the position of their location Unit. The Company did not propose to employ a Production Secretary, nor to shoot sound, and sought permission to employ a Swiss cameraman. Further discussions took place and as a result the Swiss cameraman was replaced by an A.C.T. member, a production secretary is to be employed on the location, and a written undertaking has been given regarding the non-recording of sound on the location. LABORATORIES: A meeting has been arranged between the F.L.A. and the A.C.T. to discuss matters in connection with the three weeks' holidays, dermatitis and wage adjustments arising out of the Arbitration Award and agreement settlement. SPECIAL JOURNAL: A sub-committee has been set up with the Laboratory Branch to look into the possibility of publishing a special and enlarged issue of the " Cine Technician ", mainly devoted to Laboratory matters. REPORTS: Independent Television Authority: It was reported that a delegation of the fourteen interested organisations have met the Chairman and Director General of the I.T.A. Sympathy had been expressed with the points advanced by the delegation, all of which they were assured would be discussed with the I.T.A. itself. Specifically, sympathy was expressed with the desire for a substantial quota of British material. Agreement was reached on the desire for continuing relationship between the Authority and the fourteen organisations. T.U.C. NON-MANUAL WORKERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL: The General Secretary has been reelected to the Executive Committee of this Council. B.B.C. CAMERA COVERAGE: The National Union of Journalists welcomed the suggestion of a joint meeting to discuss the issuing of cameras to journalists by the B.B.C. This meeting has been held in which both the N.U.J, and A.C.T. exchanged points of view, and agreed to a recall meeting after the N.U.J, had discussed the matter with the B.B.C. Staff Association. INVITATIONS TO CONFERENCES: T.U.C. WOMEN: It was agreed to send two delegates to the Annual Conference of Unions catering for women workers. Details of the 1955 T.U.C. Summer Schools were received and it was agreed to ask shops for nominations of possible students to be considered by the General Council. GRANTS: A grant of £10 was made from the Benevolent Fund to the Committee organising the Richard Massingham Memorial Performances, the object of which is to raise funds to be placed in trust of the education of the son of the late Dr. Massingham, who was an A.C.T. Producer/Director member. It was also agreed to make a grant of £2 2s. Od. to Ruskin College. From the Political Fund a grant of £12 was made to the London Labour Party Fund in connection with the London and Middlesex County Council Elections, March 1955. INDIVIDUAL CASES: An Assistant Director had difficulty in obtaining monies outstanding from a Company. With the aid of Head Office the member concerned has received monies due to him. Another member, who had been employed as a Production Manager by a Company, has, with the aid of our Solicitors and Head Office, obtained the sum of £480, which had been outstanding for some considerable time. A third member has obtained £150 Is. 2d. as a result of Head Office action in another long-outstanding claim. DATES TO REMEMBER: Technical Lecture: Wednesday, January 26th, Kenneth Gordon — " Delhi to Palestine ", Hammer Theatre, 7.30 p.m. Annual General Meeting: Saturday and Sunday, March 5th and 6th, Beaver Hall, E.C.4, from 10 a.m. each day. Closing date for material for February issue of the Journal: February 1st.