Kollywood crisis: FEFSI announces strike from August 1
On Sunday, at a press conference, FEFSI head RK Selvamani announced that their members would go on strike if their demands were not heeded.
Chennai: The members of Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), comprising 23 unions of various crafts of the film and television industry, are to go on strike from August 1 to demand that the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) implement revised wages for its members.
On Sunday, at a press conference, FEFSI head RK Selvamani announced that their members would go on strike if their demands were not heeded. “TFPC members should engage technicians affiliated to FEFSI who are more than 25,000 in number and should not use non-FEFSI technicians. The wage agreement expires on July 31 and FEFSI members should be paid new wages to be arrived by July 31. If they fail to do so, we would go on a strike from Tuesday, August 1.”
Vishal, president of TFPC, had announced that producers can work with whomsoever they wish if they are not happy with FEFSI after an altercation between producer R.K. Suresh (during Billa Pandi shooting) and workers when the latter stopped shooting abruptly.
When DC contacted Vishal, the actor/producer said, “We stand by what we said earlier. We are ready to work with whoever is willing to work with us from FEFSI. On the other hand, any producer can hire a person from outside FEFSI at his own will.”
Vishal also cites the Madras High Court order, which restrained the FEFSI from disrupting the shooting of any film and stated that a producer can appoint any technician he wants for his film. When reminded that 20 films are under production currently, he said, “Yes, I understand it will be difficult for the makers to get adjusted to the new people. But, change is the only constant thing which should happen for good.”