International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

Projectionist Profile . . . Ernest Lang Secretary of Local 306, A Dedicated Man to the Labor Movement New York's Moving Picture Machine Operators Union Local 306 rates high among the unions where the rule is democracy. And the major credit for that is Ernest Lang, elected secretary in 1947, and his stalwart fellow members. Just to name a few, Harry Garfman, Steve D'Inzillo, respectively business agents for Brooklyn and New York. Ernie Lang's other religion is the labor movement. He's an idealist where the union brotherhood is concerned. He told his interviewer "that the union movement should be free of corruption, bossism and dictators and self-seeking leaders or officers." Lang's door is open to 306 members, and the members can have their say or gripes at the business meetings. In the old days of the local that was not the case. The leaders took control and the members could like or not. Lang became actively engaged in the struggle in Local 306. His aim was to destroy these evils and all the benefits for the membership of a democratic ruled union with sincere and honest officals. Ever since Lang's membership in 306 — he joined the Local in 1933 — he has studied the labor movement by taking extra courses, so his union dedication is honest and real. He was on the executive board of 306 before he was elected secretary. Now he is responsible for the Welfare and Pension Funds (over $2,000,000), negotiation of new contracts and the busy business of the Local. Under his leadership not a cent rides on the Funds. Lang gets to his office at 262 W. 50 St. at 9 a.m. and he is lucky if his quitting time is 10 p.m. One time this reporter was in Langs office the wife of a projectionist who was a member of 306 told Ernie about her family troubles and wanted Lang to speak to her husband to be more careful and considerate of his wife and their children. That same BRIGHTER LIGHT LONGER BURNING SHARPER PICTURE Free Test Samples J day a member got Lang on the phone. It seems he got a divorce and wanted to change the beneficiary of his 306 death benefit. Ernie Lang has joined numerous fraternal and charitable organizations. The Projectionist Square Club is giving Lang a Gold Card for his activity in the Club. He instituted the Will Rogers Hospital donation whereby carbon drippings yield hundreds of dollars a year to Will Rogers Memorial Hospital and Research Laboratory. Lang devotes his time to the campaign to get the copper from the odds and ends of the carbon from the city's theatre booths. His friends in the Local collect the carbons from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens on their own time. He is very proud of the plaque on which Will Rogers gave him a citation. Local 306 operates with a part-time president since 1959. Ernie Lang, Harry Garfman and Steve D'Inzillo comprise the working executives. They had the foresight 10 years ago, when television was raising hell with theatre attendance, to slow down on new members. As a matter of fact now, on a membership of 16,000, about 70% of the membership is above retirement age. That's why the contract in 1962 with theatres Local 306 negotiators insisted on raising from 10% to 15% for the welfare and pension funds. Incidentally that 1962 pact 6-year raises the vacation from two weeks to three weeks in 1964, with a 5% increase in wages. About half of Greater New York theatres have closed since 1950. With a sick industry, the 1962 contract was all the 306 membership could expect, and without a strike, in which the projectionists would lose pay; the unions around the country have congratulated the negotiators. Ernest Lang's forebearers were Hungarians. He went to public grade and high schools in New York City and had two years of college. When ninf* ff?»nf»T» wi'iwwtt* Ernest Lang he was in college he worked as a reel boy and as a projectionist in theatres in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. His favorite hobby is hunting for deer. He can prove that he's a good shot by the mounted antlered buck which adorns his office. iP Ruth E. Sherman, Official of IP, Dies NEW YORK— Ruth E. Sherman, widow of Harry I. Sherman, past president of the 25-30 Club, New York, and long-time official of IATSE locals in the New York area, died recently. Operating International Projectionist for many years following the death of her husband, Mrs. Sherman was serving as a consultant and official of IP at the time of her death. iP William J. German, Industry Film Veteran, Will Retire This Year NEW YORK— William J. German, an associate of the Eastman Kodak Co. for the last 57 years and since 1922 a distributor of professional film to the industry, has announced that he will retire at the end of 1963. It is expected that at that time the distribution of its films will be conducted directly by Eastman Kodak Co. Eastman expects to continue to operate from the New York. Los Angeles, and Chicago metropolitan areas, with no substantial change in operational methods. The many users of Eastman film who purchased film WM»^^«4 CARBONS INC., BOONTON, N. J. [tf..»....t|1|fr.... , , STEADIER LIGHT LESS ATTENTION PERFECT COLOR BALANCE Free Carbon Chart International Projectionist February, 1963