Showbiz unions clash over strike rule ("The Simpsons," "Futurama" "Rugrats," at risk)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fi-short12oct12,1,7243746.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 12, 2007

In an untimely display of union infighting, the head of the alliance representing Hollywood's technical workers publicly rebuked the leaders of the Writers Guild of America, West on Thursday over proposed strike rules.

Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, blasted a strike rule recently adopted by the guild that prohibits its members from starting work on new animated features once a strike begins, including those working under an agreement with another guild.

Although the Writers Guild has contracts for prime-time animated TV shows including "The Simpsons," most animated features are covered under Animation Guild Local 839, which is part of Short's alliance.

"The Animation Guild has represented writers for 55 years," Short wrote in a letter to Patric Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West. "I consider it outrageous for the to consider violating trade union principles by taking action against individuals performing services under the jurisdiction of another union."

Short warned that his union was prepared to take legal action if the Writers Guild "follows through with the threat" to prohibit its members from working on animated features.

Verrone, an animation writer whose credits include the TV series "Futurama" and "Rugrats," has made organizing writers in animation a high priority, putting himself squarely at odds with Short.


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