Writers Guild votes overwhelmingly to authorize a strike

[Omaha Steve]

Source: LA Times

In what union officials say is a record turnout, 90% of members approve a walkout if a contract can't be settled by Oct. 31.
By Richard Verrier

Hollywood's film and TV writers are ready to trade their pens for picket signs if they can't reach a deal with their employers by Halloween.

Members of the Writers Guild of America voted by an overwhelming margin to authorize their leaders to call a strike if they can't negotiate a three-year contract with the major studios to replace one that expires Oct. 31. Of 5,507 members who voted, 90% favored granting a strike authorization. Guild officials said the turnout was a record for the union, which has nearly 12,000 members.

"Writers do not want a strike, but they are resolute and prepared to take strong, united action to defend our interest," said Patric M. Verrone, the guild's president. "What we must have is a contract that gives us the ability to keep up with the financial success of this ever-expanding global industry."


Writers Guild of America

The vote -- sought by guild leaders to give them more leverage in negotiations that have been stymied by deep differences -- marked the first time writers have voted on such an authorization since 1988. That vote paved the way for a 22-week strike that cost the entertainment industry an estimated $500 million.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ballot20oct20,1,4589784.story?coll=la-headlines-business

[aquart]

1. They must be really getting ripped off if they voted for this.

Good luck to them.

[ccpup]

2. They're getting ROYALLY ripped off

With the advent of "reality televisions" -- which is, for the most part, scripted --, the writers who work on those shows aren't under Union Rules and, because of this, get screwed seven ways to Sunday on a daily -- perhaps hourly! -- basis. Add to that the move from the Studios to basically null-and-void any of the financial agreements in contracts with talent (writers, actors, etc.) when the Film or TV show hits cable or other forms of "alternative media" and, yeah, the Writers have every reason to strike.

I think most people getting unapologetically -- and, in some cases, in a gleefully sadistic way -- f*cked by their Bosses would be angry enough to walk out.

[aquart]

5. I figured.

Too many new venues to be covered in old contracts anyway. Half the TV I watch is on my pc now, with minimal commercials.

I notice I haven't heard a single word of bitterness against the strike. The whole industry knows they've got a case. Letterman even aired a video clip supporting the strike.

[abelenkpe]

6. You haven't heard a single word of bitterness?

Look writers should get their residuals for new media, I agree. But let me express my personal bitterness about this strike. It will put a lot of people in the entertainment business out of work. Those of us whose unions are completely weak (like animation) will be laid off. During the actors strike a few years ago, which only lasted a very short while several small post production studios went out of business and those larger places that didn't go under laid off many workers. When work resumed months later their contracts and benefits were slashed, cause you know those studios gotta make up their revenue somewhere. Also, that was the impetus for "reality TV." (You don't need pesky actors for that!) Writers are already well paid and everyone else who makes films happen down the line gets screwed when they decide they need a bigger piece of the profit pie. Pretty much all the biggest grossing films of the past ten years have had tons of effects and cg animation in them that attracts audiences and masks the fact that all the writing in films is completely unoriginal and cliche or taken directly from already successful comics or books. So I'm torn. I'm all for people standing up for their rights, but I know their fight will simply lead to myself and my co-workers losing out on work and studio accountants being pressed into finding more creative ways to increase their profits: aka. more animation, construction, set design, costuming, editing, compositing jobs paying less or being shipped overseas. So yeah, Letterman is right, they have a case. But then he won't lose out during the strike. Many others will. The (ha ha what a joke) animation union picketed KCET for using tax dollars to send animation work overseas several years ago. I don't recall seeing any writers out there supporting us. So call be bitter....and majorly conflicted.

[aquart]

8. And now I have.

But blaming them because your union is weak and hasn't protected you?

As for the profit pie, I will always prefer to see it in the hands of the talent rather than the executives. I'm funny that way.

As for the special effects being what matters...could be. I watch fewer and fewer films so I don't know.
I suspect that movies do use special effects to cover lousy writing. Films known for good writing are usually pretty weak on special effects, aren't they?

Your union has a problem but I don't think it's the WGA. Is it a lack of support from the other craft unions?

[abelenkpe]

9. Woulda been nice if the writers

supported us when we needed them to. I know this sounds insane, because I completely agree with you. Talent (all talent) should get a bigger slice of the profits. But the economy is doing poorly right now. People are already feeling squeezed with the real estate bust, competing with foriegn subsidisys and reduced benefits. Many people with families to support will be out of work. Those who work anywhere along the production line after the writers don't make the same kind of money as writers or actors and are not in a position to afford a strike. And so therefore my support is bittersweet at best.

[BadgerLaw2010]

3. They are getting ripped off. The residual rate is an abomination.

The same can be said for a lot of the writer's contract. To top it off, the studios threatened to wipe out residual payments (effectively) unless writers caved on the latest miniscule extension of them. Threat was to not pay residuals until movie had "turned a profit", which is never. Losses on other projects get shifted onto your balance sheet in Hollywood accounting.

Strike wholly warrented.

[aquart]

4. Ah, the old "turned a profit" dodge.

Ain't no one that dumb anymore.

[pinto]

7. I have a relative who gets residuals (actor), he thinks the actors' guild will support writers.

At what level, he's not sure. His support is pretty clear cut. :shrug:

[Cha]

10. Actors certainly need

good writers..without a good script the movie or program is nothing.