| MUMBAI:
The Hindi general entertainment channels (GEC) are facing the heat of the on-going
dispute between the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and TV
producers union.
In
its eight day, none of the three parties had blinked, refusing
to budge from their stances. However, it is to be seen how
long will each of them hold out.
Since
10 November, nine GECs have blanked out fresh shows, following
a joint stand taken by them.
When
contacted a producer said, “No we have had no meetings
either with broadcasters or workers.” The producers,
however, had a marathon meeting this evening.
FWICE
general secretary Dinesh Chaturvedi said: “We only want
revised wages for our workers.”
When
asked about how long viewers may have to go through this ordeal,
Chaturvedi added: “I believe this situation may stretch
up 20-21 November.”
Meanwhile,
there were rumours in the industry this morning that the strike
had been called off and that the producers had managed to
convince the FWICE to increase wages by 10-12 per cent as
against their demand of 15 per cent. Additionally, senior
officials from Sony Entertainment Television were also of
the opinion that the strike is likely to be called off soon
- in fact within "a couple of days."
When
an indiantelevision.com correspondent went to meet the FWICE
officials in the afternoon, the office was packed with workers
who were discussing wages for the various crafts with the
union leaders.
However,
Chaturvedi rejected the rumours saying that no resolution
seems to be in sight and that they would stand firm and united
on their demands. "No strike settlement can be reached
without me knowing the details," he said.
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