Lightmen's strike hits film shooting

Shooting of around 60 Tamil films came to a grinding halt on Aug. 12 following a strike by lightmen in support of their demand for a wage hike.

The South India Cine and TV Outdoor Technicians Union (SICTVOUTU), consisting of about 2000 members, have placed its demand before the Producers Council. Lightmen are now paid Rs 350 a day if the shooting is in Chennai and Rs 370 outside Chennai. The demand is that these daily rates be increased to Rs 500 and Rs 550.

The Producers Council and the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) held a joint meeting earlier this week. With the meeting turning down the lightmen's demand, the shooting of 25 films in Chennai and 35 films in other places has been stopped Aug.12. Among these films are Vijayakanth's "Engal Aasan", Namitha's "Indira Vizha" and Jeyam Ravi's "Peraanmai". The shooting of many TV serials has also been affected.

SICTVOUTU, in a statement on Aug. 12, said it had sent its representation for a wage increase to the Producers Council on July 28. But the Producers Council had on Aug.1, sent the union a "warning" letter. The letter stated that the demand for a wage hike was 'condemnable' and if the union failed to withdraw its demand within three days, the council would cancel the recognition granted to the union.

The statement further said the Producers Council had also been delaying considering the technicians' demand for a wage increase and hence it was decided that the lightmen and technicians would launch a joint struggle.

A joint action committee has been constituted with former FEFSI president Mohan Kanthiraman as the president. Technician's Union president Shankar, secretary Sridharan and treasurer Devan and Lightmen Union president Rajendran, secretary Raman and treasurer Rajaram are members of this committee.

SICTVOUTU leaders said they are ready for conciliation talks and till a final settlement is reached, they would work only for producers who pay them the enhanced wages. They also said they would not work for any film with which FEFSI president Vijayan has been associated as he has allegedly slighted the unions.