Film and TV Technician (1957)

June/July 1957 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN 93 General Council in Session MONOPOLY IN THE INDUSTRY A.C.T.T. is to suggest to the F.I.E.C. that it considers preparation of a report for the Monopolies Commission on monopoly in the entertainment industry, as a result of the emergency resolution unanimously passed at the annual general meeting in March. This was decided on at a special General Council meeting on May 29th, called to deal with outstanding business. Decisions on the other resolutions were as follows : REPRESENTATION OF TV MEMBERS AT AGM's: The Rules Revision Committee, together with the three Executive members from TV, should go thoroughly into the problem, co-opting members where required; they would study rules of other Unions with similar problems, but would not necessarily be expected to produce one solution — if necessary, they could put forward two or three methods of reorganisation. GOVERNMENT POLICY AND FILM PRODUCTION: The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had received a deputation, led by the General Secretary, on May 14th and told them that the question of Government expenditure on film services, particularly overseas services, had been reviewed and the amount increased by f 80, 000; a further review was in progress. The deputation also stressed the need for increased use of TV and for a revival of the Crown and Colonial film units, and the Chancellor agreed to bear in mind all that A.C.T.T. had said, when he made his report to the Cabinet. The Council agreed that the Films Committees of both the Government and Opposition be advised of these talks with the Chancellor and that they be asked to press the matter at the appropriate time. NATIONAL FILM CIRCUIT: The Legislation Committee reported on ways of publicising A.C.T.T.'s general film policy, including getting a prominent member to help publicise it through the Press, Radio, TV and with other Trade Unions; the extension of Trades Council affiliation would also give added publicity, and a panel of speakers was considered, to be available to speak to Labour Parties, Trades Councils, Co-operative organisations. Chambers of Commerce, etc. The Council also agreed to seek a further meeting with the Parliamentary LabourParty Films Committee to review the present position and discuss further steps, as well as meeting the Conservative Films Committee on some points. SPECIALISED FILM PRODUCTION: A number of points regarding the growing unfair competition in this field f film production from companies not observing the A.C.T.T. agreements had been considered by the Eecutive, and it was agreed that: 1. A copy of the resolution should be sent to all Shop Stewards, asking them to inform Head Office of any cases which come to their notice. 2. The A.S.F.P. should be approached again with the idea of a Trade Union label. 3. A Sub-Committee should be formed to help an Organiser collect new facts on the companies not observing the agreements and the films they made, in order to provide solid evidence to take to the A.S.F.P. The Sub-Committee to take evidence from Laboratory and TV members on the companies they were doing work for. It was also agreed that the Programme Contractors and TV members be kept fully informed of any " blacked " work of this character. 100'r MEMBERSHIP AND RECOGNITION IN TV: When considering this resolution the Executive, after careful consideration, agreed that the best policy at the moment was to concentrate on achieving an agreement with the Television Programme Contractors, after which the B.B.C. should be tackled again. KODACHROME PROCESSING: Our members at Colour Film Services were asked to prepare a case for the inclusion of Kodachrome in the Tripack agreement, and the Shop's case for a higher rate was endorsed by the Laboratory Committee; after discussion it was agreed that the matter be pursued locally at first, and that in the meanwhile, the General Secretary be asked to investigate the results of litigation against Kodak in the U.S.A. under the Anti-Trust Laws. FORTY-HOUR WEEK: The terms of this resolution were endorsed by the Council, and it was agreed to press the matter whenever negotiating new agreements. ALL INDUSTRY PENSION SCHEME: It was agreed to ask a Sub-Committee to investigate not only the existing pension schemes in the industry, but also the wider question of a National Pension Scheme. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP FOR BILL SHARP: It was reported at the June meeting of the General Council that this long-standing member of A.C.T.T. had retired on pension from A.B. Pathe, and, in recognition of his long and sterling service to A.C.T.T., it was agreed that a small party be held in his honour, at which he be presented with a cheque and a scroll of Honorary Membership. BRITISH COMMONWEALTH INTERNATIONAL NEWS FILM AGENCY LTD.: Mr. K. N. Dick, Managing Editor of the Agency, in an interview with Bert Craik, said that a number of A.C.T.T. members employed in the Cutting (Continued on page 94) Camera Hire (1) NEWMAN SINCLAIR— Mirror Shutter. All Cooke Lenses including Series 2., 25mm., f.1.7. SINGLE FRAME EXPOSURE and Electric Motor Drive. (Available fully adapted for CINEMASCOPE if required.) (2) NEWMAN SINCLAIR— Mirror Shutter. Cooke Lenses and 24mm. Angineux Retrofocus. (3) NEWMAN SINCLAIR— Model G. All Cooke Lenses. SINGLE FRAME EXPOSURE and Electric Motor Drive if required. Kingston Tubular and Vinten Light Gyro Tripods. 18mm. COOKE RETROFOCUS fl.7. for Mirror Shutter and Model 'G' Cameras. 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