Pay revision for cine workers from May 1

Despite lightmen union is unhappy with terms and pay hike, 23-odd unions of Telugu Film Employees Federation, apex body of cine workers, are ready to sign an agreement with Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, affecting a pay hike of 30 to 32% for the next two years.

“New pay scales will be affective from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2020,” says a source from the chamber and adds “We are the highest pay masters in comparison to Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada film industries. Telugu producers don’t mind paying good pay to workers in 24-unions, who work hard to make a film, but lightmen union are misled by some vested interests.

Because already they are drawing Rs 2,500 for two call sheets, which is highest in southIndia,so we hope that stalemate would be resolved,” adds the source.

Actually, Telugu cine workers federation follows the guidelines and pay negotiated by Chennai-based FilmEmployees Federationof South India (FEFSI) who recently inked a deal with Tamil film producers. “Telugu cine workers have been strictly following the FEFSI terms and working conditions for years and it will be no different this time around,” adds the source.

Despite repeated parleys, if lightmen go on strike, it is bound to affect the industry to the tune of more than Rs 300 crore spent on various on-going productions in the industry. “One union cannot go on strike since it would be declared illeagal as other unions will be working with us.

And also top apex bodies- FEFSI or Indian Film Employees Federation- will not extend their support to such illeagal shutdown. Hence, Telugu producers can hire lightmen from Chennai or Mumbai for much cheaper rates and shoot their films,” the source points out.

Even in 2016, industry took a beating and suffered losses due to two-weeks strike. “Then it was a different scenario, where more unions were relucant to come on board but this time it is just one craft, who are putting up unreasonable demands. We believe that they would realise their folly and come around.

Actually, more than 10,000 cine workers are awaiting wage revision, so they are bound to exert pressure on lightmen to give up and join the agreement.” he concludes.