Unions’ clash puts film shoots on hold

Members of film technicians’ union demand the arrest of members of the drivers’ union for assaulting their office-bearers

May 29, 2013 09:42 am | Updated 10:04 am IST - CHENNAI:

Film shootings in the city have been suspended as members of the South Indian Film Technicians Union have gone on strike, following an assault on their office-bearers by members of the drivers’ union.

Sources said a group comprising members of the drivers’ union had assaulted members of the technicians union at Nerkundram Paadhai on Monday, when they were loading food into an autorickshaw for a film shoot.

The Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI), to which both the unions are affiliated, had recently decided not to utilise the services of the drivers’ union.

Angamuthu Shanmugam, president of the Art Director Union and FEFSI treasurer, saidthe FEFSI and a fraction of the drivers’ union had been at loggerheads for around a year now.

“Of the 700-odd members in the drivers’ union, 500 had opposed the election of Senthil Kumar as president last year and they approached FEFSI for its intervention in the matter. In the recent general body meeting, we had decided to boycott all drivers’ union vehicles and utilise the services of outside vehicles. Angered, a few men, including Senthil Kumar, attacked our members,” he said.

R. Dhanapal, general secretary of the technicians union, who was injured in the incident, said members have refused to work for film shootings until action is taken against the members of the drivers’ union.

Several shootings for films including those starring actors Vishal and Kaarthi are on in the city. On Thursday, the shooting for a film starring actor Vijay is set to commence.

The Vadapalani police said a complaint had been filed and they were investigating.

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