International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1949)

Harry Schiffman, Student of Labor Relations NOT a little of the credit for the recent successful conclusion Si negotiations which awarded jurisdiction over i all mechanical and machine shop work in 10 major Hollywood studios to the IA is being deposited in the lap of Harry Shiftman, business manager for IA Cinetechnicians Local 789. Members of 789 are precision machinists and toolmakers whose function is to keep precision equipment in the studios in top operating condition. Harry Shiftman is interesting to IP readers not only because he is a brother craftsman but also because he always kept his chin up and eyes and ears open to obtain the basic facts anent smart labor relations. So good is Harry in this field that his projection work has been on the strictly limited level. Migrating from Cleveland to Hollywood in 1928, Harry found the projection employment situation in the studios a bit on the rugged side. Necessity dictated that he shift from one classification to another on the various lots, and in Harry Shiftman, business manager for IA Cinerech nicians Local 789. • this fashion he was able to form a comprehensive picture of the Hollywood labor situation that was later to stand both himself and the IA in very good stead indeed. In 1936 the IA obtained their first inclusive closed-shop contract in the studios, and Harry got back to his first love — projection. He was instrumental in obtaining the separate charter for Local 165, studio projectionists, of which he still is a member. In fact, the first name on that charter is Harry Shiffman. Bang-up Job on Machinists During all the turmoil engendered in the Hollywood studios in 1945 by Sorrell's anti-IA Conference of Studio Unions, Shiffman was plugging away at the assignment to bring all the master machinists under the IA banner. That Harry did a masterful job is evidenced by the contract recently signed with the IA, no less than by the fact that Harry was practically stolen away from his projection work to become business manager for Local 789. In Harry s job there isn't any too much time for hobbying around, but there is one Shiffman hobby that gets attention — steering young Gary Shiftman's career as quarterback for Hamilton High School. Gary, now 16, is merely following in his father's footsteps, for Harry did quite a bit of pigskin-toting back in his Ohio days. Harry Shiffman is much more than a union member and leader; he is always digging to find out what makes unions tick and particularly what their status is with respect to their employers. No degree in labor relations from a univer sity has Harry, but his practical store of such knowledge places him away out front of many a product of the ivied walls. Silver Vital in Photography Eighteen tons of silver are used annually in putting pictures in newspapers and in illustrating books and magazines. That's as much of the metal as goes into the minting of more than 5 million dimes. But for print shop use it is spread mighty thin and must be more than "mint pure." Ancient alchemists helped put pictures in your newspapers. They tried to turn silver into gold. In the course of failing, they dis IMPART ► TO YOUR PRESENTATIONS Produces a sharp, snow-white, uniformly makes possible a high intensity arc spotilluminated spot far surpassing in bril light without the use of heavy rotating liancy any incandescent or vertical arc equipment, spotlight ... a light such as is obtainable only with high intensity arcs. Automatic arc control maintains constant arc gap and a steady light, free Easily operated. *rom mss or flicker. A trim of carbons burns one hour and 20 minutes at 21 volts Employs a silvered glass reflector and ond 45 amperes, two-element variable focal length lens Horizontal masking control. Can be y ' angled at 45 degrees in each direction. _ . ,. , ,, Color boomerang contains six slides and Draws only 10 amperes from any 110 u|travio|et fi|ter ho|der. volt A.C. convenience outlet. Adjustable, self-regulating transformer which is an in Mounted on casters. Easily disassemtegral part of the base for the first time bled for shipping. Use coupon to obtain literature, prices and name of nearest independent theatre supply dealer. THE STRONG ELECTRIC CORP. Please send free literature, prices and name of the nearest dealer in Strong Spotlights. NAME ■ 14 CITY PARK AVE. D | TOLEDO 2, OHIO | STREET INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST June 1949 23