The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

28 CINE TECHNICIAN General Council in Session February 1956 Improvement at Technicolor Further consideration was given to those individuals who had continued to work during the last major dispute with Technicolor. It was noted with pleasure that as a result of a recent visit by the Temporary Assistant Organiser some of those concerned had agreed to pay the fines imposed by the General Council and to continue their A.C.T. membership. An excellent meeting had been held of the foremen at which the General Secretary spoke, and the Council noted with satisfaction the greatly improved A.C.T. position in the plant. TV BRANCH TO BE FORMED: After carefully considering the TV Producer/Directors Section's suggestion for a TV Branch, the Executive passed the following resolution " The Executive Committee is of opinion that the eventual formation of a TV Branch is desirable and recommends that a committee should be formed to examine the best conditions and stage of development for formation of such a branch and the best methods for its operation when eventually it is formed." This was unanimously endorsed by General Council. HIGH DEFINITION FILMS: It was reported that the company were still refusing to pay the B.F.P.A. rates to lighting cameramen, vision mixers, and a camera operator, though willing to lodge with A.C.T. the difference between what was being claimed and what was being paid, settlement to be concluded in the light of the negotiations for a new Agreement with the Programme Contractors' Association. The Executive held the view that this was not an acceptable settlement in view of the interim agreement signed with the Programme Contractors', and decided to raise the matter as one of urgency at the next meeting with the P.C.A. It was subsequently reported that the P.C.A. agreed that A.C.T. could raise the matter direct with M.D.F., and this would be done. CHRISTMAS GRANTS: Grants totalling £212 14s. 4d. had been made from the Benevolent Fund to members, their wives, and children who were in need owing to sickness, bereavement or unemployment. DUBBED FILMS: The General Secretary had had further discussions with the producer of the film The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships about the assurance given that in the event of it being proved that there had been any dubbing from Italian into English in Italy the identical dubbing would be done in Britain. A.C.T. had now submitted to the company evidence that some of the film had been dubbed. The company had consequently made an offer to try and settle the matter but the Executive Committee agreed that this was not acceptable. GRANADA: It was agreed not to object to an application for a labour permit for an American TV Director to be employed by this company for a period not exceeding six months on the understanding that he was employed in conjunction with existing A.C.T. directors to train additional staff consequent upon the opening of their new television station, and that after six months the directors would be entirely British. INTER-UNION SCHOOL: The E.T.U. is again arranging a school open to members of other unions at the Educational College, Esher, from April 24th to April 30th next. A.C.T. was invited to send students and the Executive agreed to nominate two. STILLS DEPARTMENT. On the authority of the General Council a letter was written to the Stills Department on the 30th September drawing attention to the fact that there had been no replies to letters of the 4th April and the 10th August in connection with Resolution 7 tabled at the last Annual General Meeting. The resolution was withdrawn on the assurance that sympathetic consideration would be given, and in discussing the matter after the A.G.M. the General Council asked the Section to have joint meetings with the Producers/Directors Section and the Art Department in order to try to agree a common policy. The Section now replied that they were not prepared to meet any Section to discuss this resolution, it being felt that the Still Cameramen were the only people who should take stills of any description relating to any film production. The view was expressed at the Council that the Stills Section was prejudicing its own case by refusing to meet other Sections of A.C.T., and it was agreed that further efforts be made to get a meeting — this time in the presence of members of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. AUTOMATION: It was agreed that an Organiser and a Laboratory member should attend a discussion meeting being arranged by the Labour Research Department on Automation. LABORATORY NEGOTIATIONS: We were advised at the joint meeting held on 6th December 1955 that Technicolor Laboratories were now members of the Film Laboratory Association. Wage increases in the Solutions Control and Chemical Depts., recommended by the Lab Negotiating Committee, as well as an increased rate for Foremen Chemical Mixer and the establishment of the new grade of Assistant Foreman Chemical Mixer had been approved and negotiated. The Council heard with pleasure that these were now operating. The F.L.A. had offered £15 basic minimum for Colour Chemists, £12 5. 8. for Black and White Chemists and were not prepared to go beyond this. The Executive authorised the Laboratory Negotiating Committee to submit the matter as a dispute to arbitration if no further progress were made. {Continued on page 29)