International projectionist (Jan 1943-Dec 1944)

In The SPOTLIGHT By HARRY SHERMAN MANY localities throughout the country have a ruling calling for the revocation of a projectionist's license if it is not renewed within 30 days after its expiration. Should the licensee apply for a renewal after the grace period, he faces the prospect of undergoing another stiff examination before it will be issued to him. This ruling is decidedly unfair to those men who are fighting with Uncle Sam's armed forces, and who through no fault of their own are unable to file a renewal application within the specified period. Our men are sacrificing their lives on the various battlefronts so that we may continue to enjoy the American way of life, and they should not be penahzed by making it difficult for them to go back to their jobs when the war is over. The I. A. guarantees the union dues of every member in the service, and it also guarantees him the return of his job. We believe that all local unions should act AT ONCE in bringing this matter to the attention of their citv officials, and necessary steps should be taken to safeguard the working licenses of their members in service. State Senator Oliver, of Rochester. New York, introduced a bill in Albany for such a measure, and we sincerely hope the new legislature up there will pass it without any ramifications. Now will somebody please introduce a bill for two-man operation in the projection room — as a measure of protection for motion picture theatre patrons as well as for the projectionists themselves. 0 Charles Beckman, financial secretary tor Local 306, New York City, has fully recovered from his recent serious illness. You have our best wishes for your continued good health. Charlie. 0 A circuit court judge in Kenosha, Wisconsin, recently ruled that a union man could not become a member of that city's Board of Education. An appeal was made to the Supreme Court and the decision of the lower court was overruled. Today Kenosha, Wisconsin has TWO union men on its Board of Education. Some judge, eh? • Wallace Yutzy has been granted a leave of absence as business agent of Minneapolis Local No 219. Yutzy has gone naval for the duration, and if he will be good enough to forward his mailing address to us, we in turn will pass it on to P. A. McGuire (advertising manager for International Projector Corp.) who is very anxious to get in touch with him. 0 The decision to place the newsreels in the essential class was made by the manpower commission in a report to General Hershey of the Selective Service Board. The commission acted on the recommendation of a sub-committee, pointing out the morale value of the newsreel as a medium of communication. This automatically places cameramen, editors, laboratory technicians, sound men and technical assistants in the essential class. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MEN WHO PROJECT THESE NEWSREELS TO THE PUBLIC? The projectionists are a "medium of communication" to the public, and as such are as important as any of the aforementioned workers. © For many years William S. Newell, president of the South Portland Shipbuilding Corporation, South Portland, Maine, bitterly opposed the inroads made by legitimate labor unions. Not even the so-called "company unions" met with his approval. However. Mr. Newell seems to have undergone a change of heart, and has become a staunch supporter of organized labor. "/ am noiv fully of the opinion that properly operated, the union shop is the finest thing for labor and capital. Successful work is the product of cooperation, and that, in my opinion calls for the 100% organization of em Harry Sherman ployees," said Mr. Newell recently. This change of heart was brought about not by a miracle, but by intelligent and cooperative dealings with bona fide labor union leaders with whom he came in contact. 9 The National Theatre Supply Company, under the leadership of its president, Walter Greene, has collected over 7500 pounds of copper for the government in its recent copper drive. Through authorized sales to scrap dealers. N.T.S. is donating the proceeds to the United Nations Fund, Red Cross, USO, and other charitable organizations. When informed of this Chris Dunphy commented, "It is cooperation of this kind that makes a worthwhile contribution towards the prosecution of the war." • Local 173, Toronto, Ont., Canada, has amalgamated with the National Union of Theatre Employees and has accorded its members full membership in Local 173. This merger ends all strife in Toronto, making that city 100% I. A. organized. Although we have known for some time of the negotiations between the two rival organizations, we felt it was for the best interests of all concerned not to make mention of the pending merger until it had been consummated. We should like to see similar amalgamations in other cities where such conditions exist. 0 Tom Canavan. chief of Altec service in St. Louis. Mo., member of the I.A., and a brother of former LA. prexy Bill Canavan, has been elected an officer of the St. Louis Variety Club. Tom, an inveterate cigar smoker, holds the record for being the best dressed of the Canavan clan. • Hats off to Ernest Patrick, member of Local 414, Wichita, Kansas, for his coolheadedness in averting a panic when a fire broke out in the Palace Theatre where he is employed as a projectionist. Despite the fire in the theatre, Patrick remained at his post in the projection room and continued with the show until the theatre was cleared of all patrons. 0 Although the freezing of wages went into effect last October, the NWLB has granted wage increases to a number of unions. The NWLB approved an ar 12 IIVTERIVATIOIVAL PROJECTIONIST