Teamsters Say They Didn't Threaten Padma Lakshmi

Teamsters Local 25 disputes reports that members of the union harassed Padma Lakshmi and the Top Chef crew at a shoot at Steel & Rye in June. Various news reports allege that Teamsters yelled things like "We're gonna bash that pretty face in, you fucking whore!" and "You bitch! You slut! We're gonna get you!" to Lakshmi while protesting that Teamsters were not hired as drivers for the shoot.

The union has released the following statement by president Sean M. O'Brien via Facebook:

"Teamsters Local 25 for the last eight years has been a vital part in the success of the film industry in Massachusetts. We continue to support the industry and all the jobs that are created directly and indirectly. The Top Chef situation as it is written is fiction at best. As a union, we have the right to lawfully demonstrate and protest the filming of non-union non-Massachusetts workers. We have fought long and hard to protect our members, their livelihoods and will continue to do so. If the allegations were true Milton Police would have taken appropriate action. Again, Teamsters Local 25 will continue to be vigilant and hold employers accountable when it comes to making sure area standards are upheld, but more importantly to respect the workers that are responsible for their success and prosperity."

· Top Chef crew was not harassed, Teamsters say [-EN-]
· All coverage of Top Chef on Eater