Open to discussion, but FWICE's strike unethical: Ashoke Pandit

Three days after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) called for a strike to demand better pay and safety measures for workers, several organisations have come forward to condemn the way the stir was carried out.
Cine employee and workers, under the aegis of the FWICE, went on an indefinite strike from August 15 demanding various issues pending with the producers to be addressed at the earliest.
The Indian Films and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) along with the Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screen Writer's Association (SWA), Cine and Television Artistes Association (CINTAA), among others today said they were disappointed over the way the strike was carried out.

"We were not taken into confidence and we form a very important part of the federation. A strike can't be called one which doesn't have writers, directors, cameramen, make up and costume men, cine singers, actors," Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, convenor of IFTDA, told PTI.
The FWICE had raised the issue of pending hike on pay, which was promised in 2015 to the workers but remains pending.
Pandit said the federation was open for discussion but carrying out "mock funerals" was not the way forward.

"We will discuss the issue but the way they've gone ahead, misbehaved, shouted slogans, abused the producers, that's sad. They did a mock funeral with an effigy of our member and producer JD Mathijia. We strictly oppose this kind of behaviour. We are creative people, not goons," Pandit said.

Cine Singer's association, Cine Costume Make Up Artiste and Hair Dressers Association and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers have also come out to distance themselves from the protests carried out by the FWICE.
The FWICE, however, said these allegations were just "attempts to undermine" the protests.
"We don't endorse any actions like mock funerals and other things. The protests are being conducted in a peaceful manner despite goons being hired by the producers. Police at the spot have even assaulted our workers," a member of the FWICE told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"People sitting in AC offices can't even begin to understand the angst of workers or even comment on it. People who are not supporting the strike have interests aligned with producers and not workers. We are fighting for the interest of the workers," he added.

Pandit had also condemned "involvement of some political parties" in the strike and said while they have nothing against the outfit, the FWICE had to seek a permission to involve them.
"The federation has to call a general body meeting of all the affiliates and take permission from everyone. We have nothing against political parties, but there is a way the system works. The Constutition doesn't allow you to do that," Pandit said.
The FWICE, presided by Birendra Nath Tiwari and General Secretay Dilip Pithwa, said the body can't refuse any "unconditional" support coming their way.
"Our affiliates have refused to take into account the miseries of the workers. At least there are people from the outside who understand it and have come forward to lend their support independently. Why should the FWICE reject such support if it comes unconditionally?" the member said.

As of now, the FWICE insists the strike was on and they were anticipating nearly 3,000 workers tomorrow to protest at film city, here.