PICTURE THEATRE PAY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 8 November 1933, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRE PAY

ASSISTANT PROJECTIONIST YOUTH’S CLAIM SUCCEEDS /By Telegraph— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. Mr Stilwell, S.M., gave a- judgment to-day which is of particular interest to theatre owners and workers. It was on the claim of F. O. Ludlow against Capital Theatres Ltd. for £26 by virtue of tho fact that the defendant was party to the Wellington Motion Picture Projectionists’ Award. The plaintiff, who is aged 19, was on a wage of 10s a week and his services were terminated on August 11. The award provides that projectionists’ assistants could be employed up to 42 hours a week and should 1 be paid not less than £2 a week if between 19 and 20 years of age. The plaintiff’s average time was 24 ’■hours, and he was fully engaged in other permanent occupation during week days. He contended that even if 'he worked one hour a week he would be entitled to receive £2 a week.

After considering what the plaintiff’s duties were Mr Stilwell said he thought it was reasonable to class him as a projectionist's assistant. The award made no provision for part-time workers. It provided for casual workers, but the magistrate could not consider the plaintiff one of those. There was no provision for part-time workers unless the words “lip to 42 hours” covered them, and the clause proceeded to provide a wage of not less than the rates provided. The magistrate remarked that this led to an unreasonable and regrettable result, but' he could come to no other ronolusioiii than that plaintiff was covered by the award. Judgment was given for the amount claimed.