BIOGRAPH OPERATORS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2894, 5 October 1916, Page 7

BIOGRAPH OPERATORS

—■ 4— . CLAIMS FOR AWARD. Claims liavo . been filed by tho Wellington Biograpli Operators' Union for an iyTustrial award. Tho principal demands are as follows:—Each continuous picture theatre shall employ not less than two operators, the hours of work not to exceed twelve on six days in tho week, theso hours to be divided by arrangement between tho operators, and no operator to bo transferred from one show to anothor except in emergency. For night shows tho hours are to be 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on six evenings in tho week, with one matinee. > Wages aro claimed as follow: —Continuous theatres: First operator, £6 per week ; second, £5; assistant, wnero such is employed, £2 10s.; touring operators (operator only), £6 per week; operator and engineer, £7 per week. All expenses to be paid by tho employer. A chief operator who is rosponsibJo for running repairs and maintenance of a, gas 'engino ; or other prime mover, or. battory .set, shall bo paid £1 per week extra. When more than one matinee performance per week is given tho operator shall bo paid one day's wages at ordinary rates for each extra matinee. Casual work, 30s. per night, all expenses to be paid by tho employer. Vaudoville and othor entertainments aro to bo exompt, provided that no picture show at such entertainment extends over a longer period than fifteen minutes. , A contiguous picture theatre is defined as ono in which a programme is. shown more than twice daily. Overtime is sought at tho rate of ss. per hour, and' for Work on Sundays Christmas Day, and Good Friday dotiblo timo in addition to ordinary wages. Fourteen days' holiday on full pay shall bo allowed annually. There are other olaiins relating to preference, underrate workers, and pupil operators. 'Bio dispute will come hoforo tho Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. W. H. Hagger) on October 17. Assessors nominated by tho union are: Messrs. R. Millington, AV.'A. Clarke, and G. Dyer. : -. .' .. ■■' -