BRITISH CINEMA WORKERS.

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1920, Page 1

BRITISH CINEMA WORKERS.

AGITATION FOR IMPROVEMENT

In spite of the prosperity of the average cinema company, their employees, in too many instances, are being paid exceptionally low wages. In London there are cinemas where operators are pad from thrty to forty shillings a week. And out-side attendants wearing dazzling uniforms are paid the liberall wage of from twentyfive to thirty shillings a week. An attempt, however, is being made by the National Association of Theatrical Employees to organise these workers. This organisation is endeavouring to obtain a minimum wage of five guineas a week for a chief operator and £4 for a second operator. Doorkeepers, attendants, etc., are likely to demand a minimum wage of three pounds a week. A BLACK LIST. These demands seem so i-easonablc that we are tempted to throw out th" suggestion that a black list of all cinemas where these minimum wage rates are not in force might b>- pub lished. This is obviously an instance where black coated workers could help cinema employees by simply staying away from a cinema where conditions of employment were bad. A little gentle publicity would do :i world of good. Theatrical workers in London have through their association come to an arrangement with the Society of West End Theatre Managers, which will have the effect of improving the wages of stage hands, attendants, waitresses and programme sellers. ECONOMIC VALUE OF GOODWIN There is a good deal of sense in Committee of the Association of Theatrical Employees from which th" following quotation is taken: — An agreement, therefore, must have value as an economic instrument for betterment if it is t 0 create harmony and goodwill. The employer's, as a class, are only just beginning to realise the economic value of goodwill and harmony among worker.-; in production, administration, and all other reflations between employers and employed. With regard to the workers employed at the suburban variety theatres an award has been made by Sir George Askwith which came into operatios on December 9, 1918. Under this award programme sellers are granted a minimum wage pf twenty shillings a week, box office assistants a minimum of £1 10s, and attendant £2 a week.