The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

September 1956 CINE TECHNICIAN 131 In view of the great importance of the Brighton T.U.C. we print in place of our usual editorial the report of our delegates, George Elvin and Ralph Bond, who describe the conference as AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS IF atmosphere is the standard by which to judge a Congress, this year's T.U.C. was an overwhelming success. The sense of frustration of previous years had disappeared with the passing of the feeling that many a good resolution stood a more than even chance of being steamrollered down by the block votes of the big unions responding to the lead of the General Council. No one cause is alone responsible for this change but without a doubt the election of Frank Cousins to the General Secretaryship of the Transport and General Workers' Union was a main factor in the improved tone and temper of Congress. For example, it was he who moved the main resolution on the economic situation which rejected any policy of wage restraint under the present Government's policy, insisting that the fight for improved wages and conditions was the only answer to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Congress Impressed But it was not so much the words of his resolution as the manner and matter of his speech which impressed Congress. He stressed that the struggle was political, not merely industrial as has been argued in the past. He attacked the Government's election promises, saying " They promised to double our standard of living in 25 years. The way they are going they will have to keep up a hell of a pace in the last few years." He told the Government that their policy was a challenge which he accepted and which would be fought. If the Government wanted to save money let them look at the arms bill. If the} were to save £750,000,000 on that they would be economically sound. Let them save money there, not on wages. Frank Cousins earned a special cheer when he said all unions were in this fight together and his large union promised its help to smaller ones in a spirit of comradeship. As Arthur Horner of the Miners said, the discussion wasn't a debate, it was a demonstration. The resolution was carried unanimously and there can be no ambiguity now as to where the Trade Union Movement stands on this all-important issue. Automation On automation, we had the unusual sight of the General and Municipal Workers' Union seconding the Electrical Trades Union resolution. In recent years one felt they had opposed any E.T.U. resolution on principle. The two unions jointly argued, with the support of Congress, that automation provides the possibility of better living standards and greater leisure but that full employment must be maintained, and that workers shall be safeguarded against any ruthless application of automation by employers. Where it is to be applied there must be prior discussion between the employers and unions to ensure that the fullest consideration is given to recruitment and training policies and the avoidance of redundancy, the maintenance of the level of earnings, and reductions in the price of commodities being produced. Finally, where labour is displaced adequate compensation shall be paid. Forty-hour Week The other main domestic issue was the forty-hour week. Here Frank Cousins spoke, in the words of one delegate, as the reluctant but obedient member of the General Council. He opposed a resolution confirming support for the forty-hour week and considering that the time is now opportune to achieve it. The General Council was opposed to the wording, not the principle, of the resolution, arguing that it was impracticable in every case and that the T.U.C. should not give a blanket blessing to the idea for the whole of British industry. J. Jarvie, who moved the resolution for the Blacksmiths' Society, argued that the employers are determined not to grant a shorter working week, claiming they can't when they are busy and they can't afford it when they are slack. If unions had the support of Congress it would strengthen their hand. Mr. Jarvie won, Mr. Cousins lost. The resolution was carried by 526,000 votes, reversing a defeat by 639,000 votes on a similar resolution the previous year. Suez The main international debate was on Suez. We had a feeling that Charles Geddes for the General Council shifted his line with great skill when he got, by interruptions, the feeling of Congress, and he broke away from his original arguments to stress the Egyptians' right to nationalise the canal and emphasised that the Government must not lead us into war and, in the terms of the resolution, should the Cairo talks break down, force should not be used until the question had been referred to the United Nations, and with its consent. An amendment demanding the recall of Parliament was accepted and was passed together with the resolution a couple of hours before the announcement of the Government's decision to do so. (Continued on page 132) GENE TECHNICIAN Editor: MARTIN CHISHOLM Editorial Office: 2 Soho Square, W.l Telephone: GERrard 8506 Advertisement Office: 5 and 6 Red Lion Sq., W.C.I Telephone: HOLborn 4972