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March 1956
CINE TECHNICIAN
41
PRESENTATION TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY
On behalf of the members of A.C.T. the President presented to George and Peggy Elvin a cheque, a rose bowl and a scroll in recognition of George Elvin's 21 years' service to the Union. The lamp also shown in the
picture was presented by the membership at Kodak.
B.F.P.A.
This resolution (Composite Resolution 1) deplored the attitude of the B.F.P.A. towards A.C.T. and in particular their constant refusal to recognise the right of certain of A.C.T.'s members to any increase or overtime since 1947.
" We kept our patience "
The resolution, which was carried overwhelmingly, called upon the General Council and membership as a whole to take all necessary steps to obtain a satisfactory settlement.
Teresa Bolland said they had had numerous meetings all of which she considered had been an insult to their intelligence.
" When the B.F.P.A. meet the A.C.T. Negotiating Committee they seem to have the impression that
they are dealing only with us as individual people."
Charles Wheeler said there had been times when he and George Elvin had felt inclined to walk out of meetings with the B.F.P.A., but they had kept their patience.
George Elvin, supporting the resolution on behalf of the General Council, said there were two main issues. There was the right upon which we insist to negotiate for ALL our members. We were not going to be told that we could only negotiate for those with certain salaries and had no right to negotiate for the rest. Secondly, we insist upon the right to negotiate as a separate trade union in the absence of joint machinery.
KODAK
Fine Trade Union solidarity was shown when (Resolution 25) all sections rallied firmly to pledge support to A.C.T. members and all other trade unionists at Kodak in face of the Company's continued hostility and refusal to negotiate with the trade unions concerned. (Resolution 25).
The resolution welcomed renewed efforts of the Harrow Trades Council, with the promised co-operation of the Trades Union Congress, to secure a 100^ trade unionism and in the words of the
resolution, " thus eradicate this black spot in British industry ".
George Elvin, moving the resolution, said " you are risking your job when you take an active trade union part at Kodak. I believe there is hardly a shop steward at Kodak who has not, during the course of years, either been dismissed or transferred to another part of the plant or factory for his A.C.T. activities."
Pointing out that Kodak was an American concern, the General Secretary added, " when a company comes from abroad to operate in this country, as it is entitled to, it should observe the customs of this country. We expect employers to recognise and negotiate with trade unions. Kodak does not recognise or negotiate with any union."
R. J. Minney, seconding, said that the attitude of this modern flourishing American organisation towards its workers was clearly " pre the invention of Kodak, pre the invention of photography and one might say belongs to the pre horse and buggy stage. They are burying their heads in the sands of a period which is written indelibly for all time in one word ' Tolpuddle '.
They seem to imagine they can dictate what you must live on
(Continued on page 42)