A Year of Growth

We’re on the up

Kia ora all. Well, as 2014 draws to an end you just can’t help but reflect.

But before I reflect too much, our news is the change of guard as we farewell Albol after 13 years from the role of president and welcome Richard Bluck. Richard steps into some large boots (hang on, Albol is actually renowned for not wearing shoes, let alone boots but you get the picture). Al, however, isn’t completely off the hook as he now puts on some equally large boots vacated by Dave Madigan (yes, Dave is a boot wearer) as current past president. I would like to thank both Al and Dave, not only for the many years they have given to the Techos’ Guild, but also personally for the support they have given me in the role of executive officer.

So back to reflecting. At each AGM I report to members on the many pertinent issues that surround the Guild for the preceding year. Here is a ‘brief’ recap of this year’s report.

The year started quietly with uncertainty. Although it had been announced that the screen incentives were to rise there was still ambiguity and trepidation as to how this would roll out and what we could expect. Well, the incentive adjustment kicked in, followed more recently by a drop in the NZ dollar and today we are experiencing a near tsunami of productions flooding into the country. Additionally, that drop in the dollar appears to be giving impetus to the advertising sector. So things are looking up. The industry however does bear some scars suffered from the past 18 months, with shortages in certain skill sets as crew left the industry or the country. Unbelievably, I’ve had to issue immigration letters of non-objection for positions which historically we had always been able to fill locally. I make it a point to speak with each applying overseas production that training and upskilling be part of their protocol. This situation needs to be rectified quickly.

This year the Guild ran a third successful workshop in partnership with funding from the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) on safety. With a fourth workshop yet to be rolled out, the Guild is planning one focussing on training in the most crucial areas of shortage.

We were additionally involved in a number of events. One of these was the Big Screen Symposium. Since the symposium I have been discussing with the organisers ways to introduce events that will be more tailor made to the Guild’s membership, so look out for next year’s event.

If you haven’t checked out Guild benefits lately, we’ve had a boost from a number of new partnerships. Including The Lighthouse Theatre and The Roxy Cinema in Wellington along with Blue Co and Gen-I cellular benefits. Another good one is with Glengarry Wines, especially with Christmas just around the corner.

One of our greatest achievements has been a continued rise in membership during one of the toughest periods known to the industry. At the time of writing this article, six new membership applications had come in less than two weeks. It seems people are beginning to understand the importance of being a member of the Guild. With the collective bargaining laws having been changed late October, it is important to understand we have in place our collective bargaining document in The Blue Book. Statistically, collective bargaining and negotiation has a 98% success rate whilst individual bargaining has less than 50% success in achieving rate, wage increases, or changes to conditions. Sobering. There are many in the industry, however, who work by The Blue Book (often the first ones lining up at the catering table), who are not members of the Guild. The term is ‘coat-tailing.’ As members who support the Guild, it is important to verbalise this with those who ride shamelessly on others' efforts.

Additionally, there is a growing expectation from the NZFC, the Screen Production and Development Association, and the NZ Advertising Producers Group that all in the film industry belong to their respective guilds for a stronger interconnected voice. Please pass this on to those who are not in a guild.

The _Blue Book _and Safety Code of Practice (SCOP) revisions are big tasks taken on by two separate committees of member volunteers. The Blue Book committee are very close to presenting their changes to other industry groups to review. The SCOP may take a little longer, but with a bit of a push, we might see a revision within the next year.

Immigration changes introduced three years ago still impact on the industry, particularly for technicians who are affected by the 14-day rule, primarily in the advertising sector. This can be clearly seen by the records kept by the Guild for the number of letters of non-objection. Of course, we have experienced a slump in the industry, but with no requirement to contact the Guild for productions running less than 14 days, there is a definite loss of jobs to NZ technicians.

So that’s my allotted 900 words. We end the year with growing optimism, and with that, I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and, with an ‘air punch,’ bring on 2015.