'Daily Show' scribes unionize (Jon Stewart stood by his writers)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR1117949101&cs=1

'Daily Show' scribes unionize
DAVE McNARY

The Writers Guild of America East has unionized the staff writers on Comedy Central's "Daily Show With Jon Stewart."

The WGA East announced Friday that it had reached agreement with producer Hello Doggie to cover the 14 writers on the show. The WGA East Council. The writers must still approve the pact.
The WGA East said the scribes will see gains in compensation in line with writers working on other latenight comedy-variety shows and be covered under the WGA's pension and health plan. The writers will also be paid residuals for additional runs. "We negotiated in good faith with Comedy Central for 10 months, and I am proud to say that both sides acted fairly and professionally," said WGA East prexy Chris Albers. "I would also like to thank Jon Stewart, who stood by his writers and insisted they be properly compensated and treated fairly."
The agreement was negotiated by a committee comprised of "Daily Show" writers Rich Blomquist, Steve Bodow, Tim Carvell, Jason Reich and Jason Ross along with Albers, WGA East exec director Mona Mangan and assistant exec director James Kaye.

August 28, 2006

[zreosumgame]

1. take note Insannity, Tweety, No-Facts Novack

Take careful note all you talking anus's, Jon can show you how not to be such douche-bags. Oh wait, sorry for insutling douche-bags...

[Barrett808]

2. Why do they hate America?

}(

[silverweb]

3. Wonderful!

Thank you, Jon, for being a shining example to all.

:loveya:

[AtomicKitten]

4. yeah, Jon

and congrats on your Emmys.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. United we bargain

devided we beg!

[johnaries]

6. K&R. Jon is no dummy. He's the real deal.

"I would also like to thank Jon Stewart, who stood by his writers and insisted they be properly compensated and treated fairly."

This is just plain good business sense. I have no doubt that Jon is a humanitarian, but even if he were an opportunist this is still just common-sense business.

Why don't more of our Corporate CEO's understand where their "bread is buttered". It's not the "memo" from above, it's the little people whose hard work made it all possible.

[niallmac]

7. The producers name is Hello Doggie? Cool. n/t

[SoCalDem]

8. I wonder if it's an off-shoot of Worldwide Pants

Dave Letterman always says "Hello Doggie".:)..and Jon Stewart has referred to Dave as "his boss".:)

[rocktivity]

9. Did you see Jon and Steve's latest performance at the Emmy Awards?

LOL! And congrats!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Gregorian]

10. Thanks! My subconscience wouldn't allow me to view the Emmies.

This was my last opportunity to see their "bit". Damn, they're so good.

If you only knew. I've watched the Daily Show from the very beginning. I even spent a year on a mountain with only a generator. Every night I retired to my trailer after firing up the generator, and watched the show. And after the show was over, I shut the generator off and watched the television screen flicker and flash into a tiny little dot in the middle of the screen. It was like a daily trip to my own personal Mecca. Or something.

[Rainscents]

11. This is great news!!!

Power to the UNION!!!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

12. Putting his money where his mouth is

Well done!

[depakid]

13. Well done indeed.

Is it any wonder people trust his show more than the "news" networks?

[Javaman]

14. Good for John...

He himself is probably a member of either the DGA or SAG.

[blondeatlast]

15. UNION, (and smart people like JS) YES! That just makes my day, nt

[Kickoutthejams23]

16. Good Job Jon

Now if he can get some of his progressive friends to hire Union Writers (I'm looking your way Michael Moore)the world would be a happier place.

[samsingh]

17. Jon is fantastic

[Lisa]

18. and if anyone gives them any crap about "union shops" ...

... being "lazy" and "second-rate" -- they can simply point to their stash of Emmy awards. Cheers for Jon and the Writers Guild!

[Nickster]

19. Nice to see a win for the good guys every once in awhile. n/t

[Fierce]

20. America works best when we say UNION YES!

Union proud, union strong!

[Vox_Reason]

21. Look for the union label

We all do better when workers are paid fair wages and benefits.

Congratulations to Jon for standing by the writers who've been so important to his success!

Jon Stewart--walking the talk.