Page 17 - BHTA 100 years

Worker bene ts, fun at the Trocadero and a threat from Pakistan....
In the early 1950’s one of the main topics of conversation at meetings was the introduction of a grading scheme for labour. There was also discussion on a new payment during sickness scheme that some of the member companies, including Down Bros and Allen & Hanburys, had just introduced. The cost of the scheme was reported to be approximately 5 pounds, 5 shillings per head per year. Down Bros reported that they had seen higher rates of absenteeism but that wasn’t the case at Allen & Hanburys, where the company had a doctor and nurse in attendance.
The Association was spreading its wings at this point and the President, Mr Drew, reported on a recent visit to the USA at the invitation of the American Surgical Trade Association.
An annual dinner dance was taking place at this time too. In 1950 the Trocadero restaurant was the venue, a ticket costing 25 shillings and 6 pence. In the following year, members of the Association participated in a combined exhibit in the health section at the South Bank Exhibition for the Festival of Britain.
Reports in minutes over the next few years paint a grim picture of shortages, power cuts, foreign competition and ever-increasing costs. Membership of SIMA also declined, although the numbers were still impressive, with 654 members in 1953, down from 712 the previous year.
There were changes in the Secretariat too as Mr F C King, who had been Treasurer from 1933 to 1945 and Secretary from 1946 to 1953 retired. Miss D Sawers, who had joined the Association staff in 1929 was appointed Secretary in October 1953. She would remain in that role until her retirement in April 1963, having served 34 years at the Association.
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