The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

November 1956 CINE TECHNICIAN 167 Organiser's Page Excessive Overtime Head Office is receiving complaints that excessive overtime is being worked, particularly in Editing and Dubbing. It must be reiterated that all overtime requests should be reported to Shop Stewards, and a warning given that any failure to do this may result in action being taken against the technicians concerned. Reasonable requests are not refused, but with unemployment increasing the livelihood of fellow members must be protected and excessive overtime usually means that there is under employment. Extra money is a temptation, especially in these days of rising costs, but remember, the true Trade Union spirit must include concern for your fellow technicians who may be unemployed. Having made this comment and issued a general warning, I must stress that no further excuse will be accepted from members who do not contact their Steward when overtime is called for. Another question that repeats itself is Foreign Locations and light crews. Why, in heaven's name, do producing companies and technicians think they can get away with these ! They are bound to come to light, and when they do there are all sorts of excuses given, but the fact remains they are breaches of agreements. Whilst the Executive Committee are prepared to make concessions and indeed help genuine cases if they are approached, they are a little weary of dealing with those who are found out, therefore, in future companies who dabble in this practice run the risk of having their production permanently blacked, and members who work on these productions run the risk of being expelled. The previous two paragraphs may upset some people who will. undoubtedly, raise the cry " Restrictive Practices," but if they take the trouble to read the Agreements we hold with the employers' organisations they will see that such agreements not only cover the members but give protection to the employer. In short, the good employers and the good members use them, the others try to dodge them. Are they in a Union? Curious members ask about A.C.T.T. Head Office staff, "Are they members of any Union ?" First, it is a condition of employment that all staff must be members of their Union, the Clerical & Administrative Workers'; secondly, there is a Shop Steward, but more By Ml DD Y important is the fact that they are not just ticket holders, for recently they took an active part in a recruitment campaign. Two of the secretaries carried posters demanding better office conditions and equal pay for the job. All power to their elbows! A dispute arose at Pearl & Dean concerning Lettering Artists, which has now been satisfactorily settled. A letter has been received from the Shop addressed to Bessie Bond thanking her and the Executive for the support received. In answer to many enquiries regarding George Elvin, it can be reported that he is getting along very well and making a splendid response to medical treatment. Harry Halstead has not allowed the fact that, owing to an accident, he had a leg amputated, to interfere with his production plans. As soon as he was discharged from hospital he went ahead and has a unit shooting in Tangiers. Good luck, Henry! * Movietone has had a scoop in the parachute landings in the Suez area; their cameraman was John Davis, who was A.C.T.T. Shop Steward at Kay's, West End. John has received many congratulations on his work, and we should like to add ours. Maybe other newsreel companies could take notice of the example set by Movietone and, when vacancies occur, give an opportunity to their Laboratory employees. • The following story I pass over without comment : A little centipede suffered with arthritis in every knee. Being a fully paid-up member of its Union the Union agreed that it should see its doctor. The doctor was a little Sparrow who examined the centipede and told him there was no cure. The centipede's Union was not altogether happy with this report and sent the centipede to see a specialist. The specialist turned out to be a very wise old Owl, who reiterated (Continued on page 168) WORKERS1 EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION To the General Secretary, A.C.T.T., 2 Soho Square, W.l. I ( name ) of ( address ) read with interest Mr. Green's article on education in the CINE TECHNICIAN and should like to take advantage of W.E.A. educational facilities.