The State of the Strike

As Patric Verrone explained today, last Thursday, the AMPTP promised to offer up the second part of their "breakthrough" proposal. A week later, they still haven't added to the initial and unacceptable offer. The back channel conversations have only increased the widely-held impression that the AMPTP wants to prolong the strike. During the week, we've heard that two PR firms specializing in crisis-management have been hired by the studios at great expense, in an apparent effort to put an avuncular mask on the scowling face of the AMPTP negotiators.

Every indication from the AMPTP is that their negotiators are getting ready to storm out of the room, exiting with their usual hand-wringing lament that writers are an unreasonable bunch of emotional artists.

Clearly the AMPTP would like us to think that we are victims in a trap of their making. They would like us to fear that they hold all the cards, that we have no power, that we are doomed. All that will save us is to accept their offers (whatever they actually are) and return to the comfort of their bosoms.

As much as the AMPTP wants us to feel helpless, the facts of the past week suggest otherwise. We've all read here and in the news that the companies are being hurt by the strike.

Television networks are having to give back advertising revenue because ratings have fallen off, especially in late night, normally a cash cow. Targeted by fans, advertisers are actively considering pulling their ad dollars from networks until the strike is concluded. More and more financially important tent-pole movies are falling off the studios' production schedules. The stock prices of the AMPTP member companies are dropping.

The public sees through the AMPTP charade and sees that they aren't wearing pants. $130 million, a "breakthrough," but no explanation how the calculation was made. Who would hire a contractor who won't explain his numbers much less accept a deal with an employer without explanation?

The holidays are coming, what will be the AMPTP's seasonal gift? More cynical manipulations in an effort to break the spirit of the strikers? That was the Thanksgiving turkey served up the last time they were in a 'giving' mood.

This holiday season we all have much to be thankful for. In the past month we have seen that the WGA membership is united. That writers have shown they can forge a powerful community of union members throughout Los Angeles. That fans are loyal, dedicated, and energetic allies in a struggle against a formidable foe. That the public isn't fooled by the AMPTP's silly, arrogant pronouncements.

This holiday season we will continue our many strike efforts. We'll find time to recharge so we can continue the struggle, no matter what the AMPTP throws at us, no matter how much money they waste on PR-Crisis Management Firms.

The WGA has said repeatedly, writers want the strike to end. There's too much at stake; too many people are being hurt by the continued work stoppage; the city of Los Angeles itself is at risk.

As Patric Verrone said in his email, "The Writers Guild will remain at the table every day, for as long as it takes, to make a fair deal."