The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

April 1956 CINE TECHNICIAN 57 addressed to me at 13 Warner Close, Harlington. The Committee has agreed it would be good both economically and from a peace point of view for there to be a trade in films between Russia and Britain and has instructed the Convenor to write to the Russian Minister of Trade along these lines, also to contact the management with a view to inviting Messrs. Bulganin and Kruschev to visit our plant. During the last three months 89 new members have been accepted into A.C.T. at this shop and all floor stewards have been duly congratulated on their organising efforts. The last report from this shop, namely the organising of an evening's lobbying at the Houses of Parliament, is dealt with in the following report by Ray Sharpe, the Technicolor Convenor. RAY SHARPE WRITES: A national day of lobbying was called by Trade Unions against the Government's policy which has created unemployment and shorttime working in so many industries. We, as workers, must not accept unemployment and shorttime as being necessary. Profits and dividends for 1956 are set for new records, soaring above the peak reached in 1955, partly due to Tory benevolence to industry, but mainly due to increased productivity by the workers. Balance sheets of 561 industrial concerns, published in the last three months, showed profits of £485,167,000, an increase of £49,810,000 on their returns in the preceding year. Increased productivity without increased wages and a reduction in hours of the working week can and will only result in short-time working and unemployment. Workers must realize that employers only see the introduction of new processes and machines as a means to increase productivity per worker, thereby resulting in increased profits. The Government's policy of raising the bank rates of interest and reducing subsidies attacks all our living standards. It is an attack against the whole Trade Union Movement. We supported the lobbying called by the Engineering, Wireless, Motor Car, TRADE UNIONISTS AT NATIONAL LOBBY Left to right: Messrs. Kavanagh, Saunders, E.T.I'.; Mason, E.T.I'. Besvvick, M.P. ; Kay Sharpe, Heasman, Faul and James Frank Building and Furniture workers, etc., because we have people in the Film Industry who every time we are not running to complete capacity seize the opportunity to talk about chilly winds, etc., for the purpose of creating uncer tainty in workers' minds. We are, therefore, joining with all Trade Union Members in their demands for regular work with a decent wage so that we can educate, clothe and feed our families. Shorts & Documentary Section Steve Cox writes: While our Annual General Meeting held at the Crown Theatre on the 22nd March had a fair representation from our various sections, I think the attendance could have been better. Anyway it was quite an interesting meeting. After the Secretary's report had been read and accepted, the election of officers was carried out. This year our committee is: President, Max Anderson; VicePresident, Eric Pask; and Steve Cox, Secretary. This job I hope will give me the opportunity to give you even more interesting news in this column. The other elected members were Ted Worringham, Ken Gordon, Chris Brunei, Sid Sharpies, Barbara Vincent, Ralph Bond, Peter de Normanville, John Legard and Derek Knight. Bessie Bond is of course still our section organiser. The elections were followed by a talk by our General Secretary, George Elvin, on: "What next for British Films — First thoughts on the Board of Trade Film Enquiry." The talk and later discussion proved that it was more than " first thoughts " on George's part. On behalf of the section I want to say " Thank you, George." Now for news in general. Script Writer/Director John Rowdon tells me he has been scripting on the problems associated with Iraq, from whence he has recently returned. He tells me that John Shearman, who used to be with British Transport, is now producing for Iraq Petroleum Company, and that John Armstrong, exWorld Wide, is working for the same company and directing a series of twelve films on geology in colour. I gather that he is making a very good job of it, too. I understand that Alex Shaw, of Realist, has gone to Liberia for twelve months for UNESCO. Mention of UNESCO reminds me that Rod Baxter is producing for them in Mexico. Kitty Marshall, recently with the Coal Board, and our section's first Secretary, left England at Easter to edit for him.