"The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Lighting and Scenery Department" (referred to as "Art Department Union") was formerly affiliated to the "Guangdong Machinery Union" (the Third Special District Branch), that is, the "Scenery Lighting Union". The "Machine Union" industries include: automobiles, river vessels, electricians and machinery. Due to its wide scope, large number of members, and unity in handling affairs, it has certain binding force and influence.
In the early Republic of China, due to the advancement of science and technology, Cantonese opera performances also switched from using big lights to generators and electric lighting, so they were related to the machine industry. According to Li Zhu, the current chairman of the "Painting Department Union" and Xu Quan, the veteran representative, the "Machine Union" at that time was very protective of the rights and interests of its members, such as those who encountered unpaid wages. When workers participate in a performance, they must report to the local "Machine Workers Union" and present a "District Meeting Commencement Certificate" before the class can start. Otherwise, the "Machine Workers Union" has the right to ask workers to stop working.
Before liberation, if there were Cantonese opera performances in Hong Kong, they had to register with the Guangzhou "Machine Trade Union" and send people to Hong Kong to work. After liberation, the Guangzhou "Machine Trade Union" was abolished. Members who stayed in Hong Kong could only register with the Hong Kong "Machine Trade Union" and continue to work in theater troupes.
In October 1965, The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Chairman Mak Bing-Wing negotiated with He Douxiong and Ye Zhong, representatives of the "Painting Department Union", and invited workers to join the union as a member of the Cantonese opera community. The two of them, Cai Xianjue, Cai Ji, Xu Quan, etc. were responsible for leading the painting department workers, and the "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Lighting and Setup Department" was also officially established.
The veteran He Dou-hsiung and the club's affairs started with hard work, but it is finally stable now. More than 20 years ago, they rented the current self-owned club site as a gathering place for members. The income comes from monthly membership fees, and members who start classes pay welfare fees and mahjong recreation fees. However, when annual expenses such as year-end benefits, longevity benefits, and general expenses are insufficient, financial problems can be solved by subsidy from enthusiastic directors.
The "Painting Department Union" was officially registered as the "Hong Kong Drama Stage Lighting and Scenic Workers Union Limited" in 1990. In the same year, the directors raised funds to purchase the existing union address, and continued to take on the work of contacting members and developing union affairs. Currently facing the problems of aging members and few entrants into the industry, all three expressed their low hopes. In the past, the problem faced was that of ordinary shift workers, but they could make a living, and they were only worried about young people picking up bad habits; now, because the income is not enough to attract young and strong people to join the industry, there is a lack of successors to continue some traditional crafts, so they can only face it indifferently.
