OPINION: AMPS & BECTU In the more than ten years that AMPS has been in existence. the question is sometimes asked, by members and prospective members alike, “Why can’t AMPS do something about working hours, Holiday Credits and suchlike?” It is encouraging that our Association is perceived as a cohesive force, and it is natural that some would consider that it might have some influence in addressing working conditions in our Industry. From the earliest days of the Working Party, set up to investigate the practicalities of forming a Guild or Association for the Craft of Sound in Motion Pictures - even our title was arrived at only after considerable discussion! - it was clear that we never could, and never should, act as a Trade Union or undertake activities that could be construed as such. Our Constitution clearly states this, and we have adhered to this principle over the past decade. The paragraph ‘Aims and Objectives’ heading the first page of our Directory defines what AMPS is all about and we can all take some pride in being part of an increasingly influential membership. There is, however, an organisation that represents us, individually and collectively, as Workers in our Industry and that, of course is BECTU. It is to BECTU that all concerns about working times, rates, holiday entitlement etc, etc. should be addressed. The anti-union legislation of the early 1980’s, together with the prevailing market conditions, meant that the old- and to be/air, not always reasonable agreements were jettisoned by the Employers, despite the efforts of the emasculated Union. Many members/cit that the Union had/ailed them, and allowed their membership to lapse. People coming in to the industry over the past couple of decades could see no point in joining a union they perceived as having little influence on their lives, and the current upcoming young generation are only vaguely aware of its existence. However, European Law now gives BECTU a legal framework with which to address many of the problems of Working Time and Holiday Entitlement (forget ‘Holiday Credits’ or ‘Money’ - you are entitled to Time Off’) Production companies are beginning to heed the Directives, and those that ignore or abuse them are being challenged. The opportunity for a sensible, regulated structure of working conditions now exists. For BECTU to have the authority to achieve this it has to have the evidence that it represents as many as possible of those working in the Film Industry, and that evidence is in the size of its membership. At an open meeting for all Guild members, organised by the Cine Guilds of Great Britain, at Pinewood on 19th March last, Roger Bolton, BECTU General Secretary, and two London Production officials, Martin Spence and Sue Harris, were able to provide a good insight into the role and services of BECTU, and answered questions frankly. Those who were able to attend were clearly encouraged by the potential for the future, and lapsed members stated their intention to rejoin. A digest of this meeting would be too lengthy to include here, but I would encourage any lapsed member (a dues amnesty exists/or guild members) or prospective member of BECTU to obtain its literature and find out the many benefits, and help BECTU do what AMPS is not constituted to do! Just a footnote - as a Freelance member of BECTU I have the benefit of £3 million worth of free Public Liability Insurance - something I could only previously obtain as an add-on to a very expensive equipment insurance policy. I may never need it, but it is comforting to know it is there! BRIAN SIMMONS, Production Mixer | SOUND AWARDS 2000 THE OSCARS -FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND-THE GREEN MILE: Robert J Litt, Elliot Tyson, Michael Herbick and Willie D Burton THE INSIDER: Andy Nelson, Doug Hemphill and Lee Orloff THE MATRIX: John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, David Campbell and David Lee THE MUMMY: Leslie Shatz, Chris Carpenter, Rick Kline and Chris Munro AMPS STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE: Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson, Shawn Murphy and John Midgley -FOR SOUND EFFECTS EDITING-FIGHT CLUB: Ren Klyce and Richard Hymns THE MATRIX: Dane A Davis STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE: Ben Burtt and Tom BelLfort THE BAFTA AWARDS-FILM - BEST SOUND-AMERICAN BEAUTY: Scott Martin Gershin, Scott Millan, Bob Beemer, Richard Van Dyke BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB: Martin Miller, Jerry Boys THE MATRIX: David Lee, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, David Campbell, Dane A Davis STAR WARS EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE: Ben Burtt, Tom Belfort, John Midgley, Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson, Shawn Murphy -TV - BEST SOUND FACTUAL-EYE OF THE STORM: Ian Hills, Dion Stuart MICHAEL PALIN’S HEMINGWAY ADVENTURE John Pritchard AMPS, Bob Jackson PADDINGTON GREEN: John Rodda AMPS, Dudley Houlden, Paul Roberts SHANGHAI VICE: Sound Team -TV - FICTION/ENTERTAINMENT-GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Richard Manton AMPS, Peter Smith, Bernard O’Reilly, Terry Brown QUEER AS FOLK: Sound Team WARRIORS: David Old, Graham Headicar, Maurice Hillier, Danny Longhurst WIVES & DAUGHTERS: Paul Hamblin AMPS, Peter Brill, Ian Wilkinson AMPS, Danny Sheehan Congratulations to Winners, Nominees, and all who worked on the soundtracks |
