Film and TV Technician (1957)

60 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN April 1957 General Council in Session KODAK: THE NEXT STEP amining the needs of specialised film production for trainees and newcomers; the resolution would also be borne in mind during the discussions that had started just before the A.G.M. with the British Film Academy, and it was also referred to the New Entrants Committee. A petition is soon to be launched by the Union as a further step in the campaign to get the Kodak management to recognise A.C.T.T. This was one of the decisions taken by the first meeting of the newly-elected General Council, following the unanimous adoption at the Annual General Meeting of the resolution strongly urging the Council to examine all means of bringing pressure to bear on Kodak with the object of achieving Trade Union recognition. Head Office is to prepare the petition in conjunction with our members at Kodak, and it is to be signed by leading technicians, in order to show the management that the question of recognition has the support of the Union as a whole. " DREYFUS CASE ". The Acting General Secretary reported that the Ministry of Labour had granted permits both for an American Producer (Sam Zimbalist) and a Director (Jose Ferrer, who was also starring in the film), to work at M-G-M, despite the objections from A.C.T.T. The matter was being pursued with the Company and with the firm support of the Producer/Directors' Section and the General Council. ENGINEERING DISPUTE AND BRITISH ACOUSTIC. The British Acoustic Shop Steward, Bob Langdon, reported that the A.C.T.T. Shop Committee recom mended that our members stop work with the A.E.U. members for as long as the dispute with the Engineering Employers' Federation lasted. After discussion, the Council agreed to instruct members to abide by normal Trade Union action, by which they would refuse to handle any work normally done by A.E.U. members in dispute, and that in the meanwhile the Executive Committee would examine the best ways and means of assisting its brothers at British Acoustic. It was further agreed to contact the A.E.U. to find out in what way our assistance at B.A. could be given. On a recommendation of the Laboratory Committee it was agreed nem. con. to give financial support to the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions in their dispute and that a circular should go out to Shop Stewards about it. The Executive has donated £100. 1957 A.G.M. DECISIONS. A number of the resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting were considered by the General Council. On the resolution instructing the General Council to do all it can to revive any joint machinery with employers and other bodies which will ensure a suitable and controlled supply of new entrants into the film industry, the Council agreed to remind the A.S.F.P. of the clause in the A.S.F.P.-A.C.T. Agreement on the question of ex OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT FILM PROCESS INSTRUCTOR (LABORATORY SUPERVISOR) required by NIGERIAN FEDERAL GOVT. INFORMATION SERVICE for one tour of 12/24 months in first instance. Fixed salary (including Inducement Addition) £1,600 a year. Gratuity at rate £150 a year. Free passages for officer and wife. Assistance towards children's passages and grant up to £150 annually towards maintenance in U.K. Liberal leave on full salary. Candidate must have a thorough knowledge of all aspects of cine film processing both 16mm. and 35mm. and will be required to open up and run a small laboratory and to train African staff. Write to the Crown Agents, 4 Millbank, London, S.W.I. State a^e, name in block letters, full qualifications and experience and quote M3B/43986/CY. REPRESENTATION OF MEMBERS AT A.G.M.s. The whole problem of devising machinery whereby members on duty at the time of the A.G.M. and those working in provincial centres be given full and proper opportunities of expressing their wishes was referred to the Executive to prepare a report. GOVERNMENT POLICY AND FILM PRODUCTION. On the resolution urging the Government to revive the former policy of generous and imaginative sponsorship of documentary films to make known at home and abroad the problems and achievements of the British people, it was agreed that Dr. Charles Hill, M.P., the Government's co-ordinator of the information services, be asked to receive a deputation; the resolution would also be sent to the A.S.F.P. for information. NATIONAL FILM UNIT. Copies of the resolution calling upon the Government to establish a National Film Unit under a National Film Board would be sent to the Prime Minister, the Treasury and the Leader of the Opposition. BRITISH FILM PRODUCTION STANDARDS. This resolution, which urged the General Council to accept responsibility for promoting the highest professional and artistic standards in technique and content, as well as its responsibility for industrial terms and conditions, was referred to the Executive for recommendations to be given to a future Council meeting. NATIONAL FILM CIRCUIT. The resolution, which called on the Government to establish a National Film Circuit in order to stimulate British production and give scope to independent pictures would be sent to the President of the Board of Trade, the Film Committees of both the Labour and Conservative Parties, and the other film unions; it was also referred to the Legislation Committee to discuss how