TV Technicians Strike but KTLA Will Stay on Air

About 140 technicians walked off their jobs at Hollywood’s pioneer television station KTLA early today but a spokesman said the station would stay on the air today “and for the forseeable future.”

The striking employees, represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, rejected a management contract offer in a vote on a KTLA sound stage Sunday night.

Jeff Wald, KTLA news director, said the station would stay on the air using supervisory personnel.

Union spokesman Leo Geffner claimed management’s proposal would eliminate 50 of the 140 jobs, change and eliminate parts of the seniority system and mean “significant wage cuts.” He accused KTLA management of “union busting.”