FILM OPERATORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 78, 3 April 1939, Page 12

FILM OPERATORS.

AWARD NOW ISSUED. WAGES AND HOURS FIXED. l , WEEKLY BASIS EMPLOYMENT. ! (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. A Dominion award for motion picture operators, which comes into force today, has been issued by the Court of Arbitration. Matters referred to the Court comprised all principal clauses, states Mr. Justice O'Regan in a memorandum. The employers asked the Court to fix hourly rates for all workers, but as they had always been treated as weekly workers in the past the Court was unable to ceo its way to alter the basis of payment on the evidence submitted. Operators employed in continuous picture shows nnd/or shows giving two performances a day, for a week not exceeding 40 hours, are to be paid £5 15/ per week under the award, which will oxpire on April 3. 1941. Other wage provisions are: Operator? in theatres showing eight screenings a week for a week not exceeding 36 hours, fa 7/6; operators in theatres showing seven screenings a week for a week not ex-c-"'ling 34 hours, £5; operators in theatres showing six screenings a week for a week not exceeding 28 hours, £4 10/; operators in theatres showing not more than five screenings a week, 16/ for each screening, with overtime rates i after four hours of any screening. j Casual workers, whose employment pxlends over a period of loss than six days shall be paid not less than 18/ for each performance, not exceeding four hours. Rates for youth assistants range from £1 per week between the ages of 10 and 17 to £2 10/ between 20 and 21, thereafter not less than £3 10/.

Overtime will be paid at time and a half for the first four hours, and double time thereafter.

In the case of operators employed in continuous picture shows, or shows pivinjr two performances a day, an annual holiday of two weeks on ftill pay is provided. Other workers shall receive one week on full pay or two weeks on half pay-

Vaudeville and other entertainments an , exempt from the award provided that picture shows at such entertainments shall not extend over 40 minutes. All operators are to l>e allowed one halfhour before commencement of a. performance for preparation of plant.