The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Apr-Jun 1922)

June 17, 1922. KINEMA OPERATORS’ THE FILM RENTER. & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 63 WORKING CONDITIONS. Proposals of Conciliation Board for the North Western Area. AM now it a position (writes our: Liverpool correspondent) I to give details of the proposed working conditions for kinema operators (engaged in picturedromes in the area embraced by the North-Western branch of the C.K.A.) recom. mended by the Conciliation Board, composed of representatives of the employers and also the Electrical Trades Union... These conditions, which affect both. wages and hours of employment, were submitted to the monthly meeting of the North-Western branch a weck’ ago, and, after some slight discussion, were unanimously adopted. The following self-explanatory letters were also read, viz.: * Dear Sir,—-Arising out. of the present position re the new proposed working rules which were drawn up by the Conciliation Board of the C.I.A. and kinema operators, and whieh the Board further decided to recommend for acceptance to’ their respective members, a mass meeting of the kinema’ operators of the Mersey district was held on Sunday last, and, in view of the absence of any decision re the acceptance of same by your members, it was decided that we request your side to forward the decision as to whether your members have accepted same or not by Friday next, May 26, 1922. ‘‘ They have further decided to have a mass meeting of the kinema operators to take place on Sunday next, and, failing a satisfactory reply from your body, a ballot will be taken for the purpose of deciding whether the members shall cease work or not, immediately. I trust, therefore, that your side will Iet us have their decision on this question by the date referred to in my letter, as further, failing any reply to same, it will be accepted by my members that your members have refused to accept the working card as recommended by the Board, and they will immediately proceed to take the ballot referred to for the purpose of taking immediate action to get a settlement on this question. “*T trust this will have your immediate consideration, and reply by the date stated will oblige.—-Yours faithfully, for the Electrical Trades Union, T. W. Paumer, Assistant District Sceretary.”” ‘* Dear Sir,—The position arising out of the present circum. stances in connection with the proposed new working rules for kinema operators, was discussed at a mass meeting of this section on Sunday last, and, as intimated in my previous correspondence and telephone communication with you, a ballot has been taken for and against ccasing work in the event of the non-acceptance of the card recommended by the Conciliation Board by your members. The returns of that ballot have declared a unanimous decision to cease work, and the date of same is left in the hands of the Mersey District Committee to determine. ‘* Your counter-proposals were placed before the members at that meeting, and I am directed to inform you that one of the chief objections by our members was that any counterproposal submitted by your side could not be discussed by the Conciliation Board, the opinion of my members being that, in fairness to all parties, any sugyestion from either side should certainly have the joint consideration of both parties hefare being put into operation. ‘* As this matter has to be placed before a special meeting of the Mersey District Committee, I consider it would be advisable for your Association to consider the position of Google placing any proposals you may haye to submit before the joint body, the Conciliation Board, for their consideration, In the meantime, our members have been instructed to remain at work pending the decision of the District Committee, and I am of the opinion that in the interests of both parties, to prevent a stoppage of work, with its consequent hardship on both parties, that you should consider my previous suggestion in this letter to uvoid trouble, ‘*T trust you will bring this matter to the notice of your committee, and let me have a reply as soon as possible, in order that I nay be able to submit same to the Mersey Distriet Committee of this Society, prior to them coming to their final decision on this question re the withdrawal of operators. —Yours faithfully, for the E.T.U., T. W. Paneer, Assistant District Secretary.” The Proposed Working Conditions. The proposed conditions are as follows : Rule 1.—Hovurs or Work.—The hours of work shall remain as at present, Rule 2.—Ho.tpays.—(a) Sunday, Christinas Day, and Good Friday to be paid for at the rate of double time. (b) All operators, electricians, or apprentices shall be given one week's holiday per annuin, with pay, after six months’ service, Rule 3.—Wages.—-(a) The minimum wage for a chief operator shall be £4 per weck, assistant operator, £2. (b) TrapE Snows -—For every trade show the chief operator shall receive 7s. 6d. and the assistant operator 2s. 6d. (c) Apprentices shall be paid on the following scales: For the first 12 months, 12s. 6d. per week; for the second 12 months, 20s. per week: for the third 12 months, 30s. per week. After the third year the apprentice shall be eligible for an assistant operator, and shall be paid assistant operator’s rate of wages, if placed in that position. (d) The employers shall retain an apprentice for a period of not less than three years, unless satisfactory reasons occur for his dismnissal, such as incompetency, wilful neglect, misbehayiour or failure to carry out his dutics. or in the event of the discontinuance of the business. (e) That it be a condition of employment that an apprentice attends Technical Classes during the first three yeurs of his apprenticeship, and that the employers pay “half of the Technical Class fees. Fees not to exceed 12s; 6d. per annum, and the apprentice not to be absent for more than two hours per week. during his employers’ tine.’ Not more than one apprentice shall be engaged at any one picture house. : Rule 4.—Gravep Hanis.—The miniinum of any operator acting as chief at any Grade (b) Hall, shall not be less than £3. per week. ; ; : Rule. 5.—Dvutis.—The chief operator shall -have complete charge of the maintenance and. repair. of the running plant, and also the control of the existing installation,. and :be responsible for samo to the management. Assistant. operators and apprentices shall. work. to instructions of the chief, Rule 6.--Derrnitions. —(a) Chief operator ata Grade (a) Hall shall be a man of 21 years of age or over, who has lied’ five years or more experience as an operator in a recognised picture (Continued on next page.)