When the strike started we heard a lot of talk about writers writing specs during the strike. But I actually don't know anyone who wrote a script during the past 3 months. Some writers did write. I heard about a writer who wrote a novel. Another a children's book. I started a food web site. But writing screenplays or working on pilot assignments didn't seem to happen as expected. Picketing seemed to consume the people I talked with.
Maybe that says something about the level of commitment writers felt about the strike. At any rate, thankfully, the strike is over now. As Patric Verrone said in his email, the negotiations accomplished many but not all of our goals. There is still more to be achieved in the next contract cycle, but by staying focused and committed, we prevailed against enormous odds. We should all congratulate one another. We did good.
Even though it feels as if the strike is already ancient history, there is still one more step to go: we have to vote on the contract itself. Here's Ann Farriday's instructions about the voting process.
from Ann Farriday:
Congratulations! Although the strike is now officially over, the membership still needs to vote on whether to accept the terms of the new MBA.
CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE
Ballots and related materials should be in the mail on Friday February 15th.. Members will have the opportunity to vote by mail, vote by proxy or vote in person at the Special Membership Meeting on Monday February 25, 2008 at 6 pm at the Writers Guild Theater.
RATIFICATION PRO AND CON STATEMENTS DUE TOMORROW
WGA members in good standing have the opportunity to submit statements supporting or opposing ratification of the proposed 2008 MBA. Statements must be delivered to WGAW or WGAE headquarters by 12 noon, Thursday February 14. For submission rules click here.
WGA members in good standing have the opportunity to submit statements supporting or opposing ratification of the proposed 2008 MBA. Statements must be delivered to WGAW or WGAE headquarters by 12 noon, Thursday February 14. For submission rules click here.
MEMBER INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS ON THE PROPOSED 2008 MBA NEXT WEEK
Please encourage your team members who have questions about the new contract to attend one of these meetings. WGAW Senior Staff will go over the deal terms, and address members’ questions and concerns.
- Tuesday, February 19 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the WGAW building, 7000 W 3rd St 90048, Multipurpose Room (2nd floor).
- Thursday, February 21 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Sportsman’s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City 91604.
3 comments:
It would be great to see the whole MBA, are video game writers covered. http://copyrightorwrong.blogspot.com/2008/02/happily-ever-after.html
HARLAN ELLISON ON THE WRITERS STRIKE SETTLEMENT
YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO RE-POST THIS ANYWHERE:
Creds: got here in 1962, written for just about everybody, won the Writers Guild Award four times for solo work, sat on the WGAw Board twice, worked on negotiating committees, and was out on the picket lines with my NICK COUNTER SLEEPS WITH THE FISHE$$$ sign. You may have heard my name. I am a Union guy, I am a Guild guy, I am loyal. I fuckin’ LOVE the Guild.
And I voted NO on accepting this deal.
My reasons are good, and they are plentiful; Patric Verrone will be saddened by what I am about to say; long-time friends will shake their heads; but this I say without equivocation…
THEY BEAT US LIKE A YELLOW DOG. IT IS A SHIT DEAL. We finally got a timorous generation that has never had to strike, to get their asses out there, and we had to put up with the usual cowardly spineless babbling horse’s asses who kept mumbling “lessgo bac’ta work” over and over, as if it would make them one iota a better writer. But after months on the line, and them finally bouncing that pus-sucking dipthong Nick Counter, we rushed headlong into a shabby, scabrous, underfed shovelfulla shit clutched to the affections of toss-in-the-towel summer soldiers trembling before the Awe of the Alliance.
My Guild did what it did in 1988. It trembled and sold us out. It gave away the EXACT co-terminus expiration date with SAG for some bullshit short-line substitute; it got us no more control of our words; it sneak-abandoned the animator and reality beanfield hands before anyone even forced it on them; it made nice so no one would think we were meanies; it let the Alliance play us like the village idiot. The WGAw folded like a Texaco Road Map from back in the day.
And I am ashamed of this Guild, as I was when Shavelson was the prexy, and we wasted our efforts and lost out on technology that we had to strike for THIS time. 17 days of streaming tv!!!????? Geezus, you bleating wimps, why not just turn over your old granny for gang-rape?
You deserve all the opprobrium you get. While this nutty festschrift of demented pleasure at being allowed to go back to work in the rice paddy is filling your cowardly hearts with joy and relief that the grips and the staff at the Ivy and street sweepers won’t be saying nasty shit behind your back, remember this:
You are their bitches. They outslugged you, outthought you, outmaneuvered you; and in the end you ripped off your pants, painted yer asses blue, and said yes sir, may I have another.
Please excuse my temerity. I’m just a sad old man who has fallen among Quislings, Turncoats, Hacks and Cowards.
I must go now to whoops. My gorge has become buoyant.
Respectfully, Yr. Pal, Harlan Ellison
Not everyone was happy with the deal, like Harlan Ellison.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35629
I'm surprised you aren't commenting on that. Although for someone as contemptuous of new media as he has been historically he sure went out into the streets to get his slice of it and upset he isn't getting a bigger piece of the pie.
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