Comments on: URGENT! Federal Mediator Intervenes...

By: Jessy S.

Jessy S. — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:44:45 +0000

If the Teamsters don’t cross the line, that is it for shooting and the AMPTP might as well dissolve the SAG and DAG contracts and lock them out as of right now.

By: avid reader of this site

avid reader of this site — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:58:36 +0000

Apparently they’re planning to shoot 30 Rock on Monday morning as planned, Tina Fey isn’t scheduled to be in front of the camera. The SAG people have been told to come in as scheduled no matter what (I’m guessing the no matter what means cross any picket line at Silvercup Studios, though this was never said.) The claim is they can still shoot whatever script has been left for them. As long as the SAG people do nothing to help with the writing, they can work. I’m confused. I thought something like this wasn’t suppose to happen if there’s a strike. If there’s no picket line, does that mean shooting as usual? If there’s a picket line, and the teamsters choose not to cross, is that it for shooting?

Actor wannabe (who has friends who may or may not work tomorrow)

By: Jessy S.

Jessy S. — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 01:37:27 +0000

My guess is that the federal mediator will try to force an agreement with the writers before going on to the directors.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 01:09:29 +0000

At this point, if a settlement is reached tomorrow or even within a couple of days it could look bad for either side…. If AMPTP gives in tomorrow they look like bullies cause it means they were always willing to do so; if WGA gives in tomorrow they look like a bunch of “wusses.” In order for both sides to save face, they almost have to strike. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want a strike. What I hope for is the writers get what they deserve and nothing less. They have always been underappreciated.

By: sideliner

sideliner — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:26:22 +0000

At this point, it’s no longer about the WGA’s demands - it’ll be about the DGA’s. Since the AMPTP hasn’t been able to reach the deal it wants with the writers, it will now most likely focus on making a deal with the directors. The premise being that the first group to agree to terms will be the group that establishes the “pattern” in this round of bargaining for the other two (SAG being the third group) for the new agreement term.

I wonder what the DGA’s pattern of demands will look like? Will it include increases in DVD residuals & downloads and Internet jurisdiction terms? Or will the writers end up alone on that branch?

I guess we’ll see in the coming weeks.

By: Jessy S

Jessy S — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:14:41 +0000

No, but Nikki recounts the fact that the WGA and AMPTP held a session in the middle of October at WGA’s place, but Nick Counter brought way more people than he thought he would bring and that led to a wasted session. The federal mediator was trying to get both sides to bargain in good faith for over a week, and this is one last attempt by him to do so before the strike begins. All this was is to stop the strike before it hurts either side. Based on what happened the last few weeks, the WGA can take the AMPTP to court in order to get a full shutdown of Television and Movies and the federal mediator will testify on WGA’s behalf. Due to Nick Counter’s actions AMPTP is fighting a losing battle on behalf of the networks and studios.

By: Get a clue

Get a clue — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:18:13 +0000

Jesus, people. The flippant remarks about the mediator are downright ignorant. The Bush regime sickens me, but mediators are bound by law to attempt… to the best of their abilities… to be impartial. Their only agenda is to mediate between the parties. They’re not all agents for the Bush-Cheney cabal.

Ideally, the mediator should have been summoned several weeks ago — not the day before the contract was due to expire.

I’m a writer, and I undertand tempers are flaring, but don’t fabricate conspiracies that don’t exist.

By: beowulf

beowulf — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:49:35 +0000

Omar, perhaps you should do some research. The president can only order employees back to work if Congress has passed legislation allowing him to do so. The president has the authority to order transportation workers (such as airline employees) back to work pursuant to the Railway Labor Act of 1926.

I’m pretty sure the Railway Labor Act does not cover screenwriters.

By: agentfromanotheragency

agentfromanotheragency — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:13:11 +0000

Omar, for someone who works in politics you don’t know your executive powers very well. Bush forced the mechanics back to work under the Railway Act. A President cannot order workers back to work unless it is under a specific act (in this case it is transportation). If it were that easy Reagan wouldn’t have had to fire air traffic controllers, he would have just ordered them back to work.

What is Bush going to do if the writers don’t go. Fire them. Maybe YOU should know your politics, especially if you are going to work in it.

By: Omar

Omar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:14:36 +0000

to the person who didn’t leave his/her name that said “i’m not sure where you’re from.” well i’m from the US and work in politics. And yes the president could not only block the strike, he could order the writers back to work. Perhaps you should do your research before you make such comments. As an example, President Bush signed and executive order in 2001 preventing Northwest workers from striking. Perhaps you should learn a thing or two about Executive Power before you open your mouth.

By: A TV writer

A TV writer — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:38:30 +0000

“I just bought the first 3 season of Frasier on DVD. I paid about $30 each for the DVD sets. I wonder how much the writers made on my purchase?”

I will tell you exactly. I am acquainted with a writer who was on Frasier for many years. This writer received less than $100 for the release of the entire first season on DVD. Less than $100.

Just in case you were wondering.

By: frustrated manager

frustrated manager — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:33:42 +0000

The mediator was called in over a week ago. Where has he been until now? Designating seating arrangments???

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:08:13 +0000

Nikki:

You rock. All of the traditional, conglomerate-controlled media are clearly not telling our story correctly, or elucidating our demands with any real understanding of the situation. You have become the writers’ voice in the wilderness. We’re striking because we’ve been given no other choice by the Producers, not because we want to. I’ve been a WGAw member for almost 15 years, and I’ve never been more proud of it than I am right now.

As a professional storyteller, I can think of no one I would rather have out there telling our story than you.

By: pumpkin

pumpkin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:05:52 +0000

//”All real producers care about is getting their stuff made”//

Well, that and getting laid a lot.

By: Dakkar - WGA Writer/Procuder &

Dakkar - WGA Writer/Procuder & — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:04:49 +0000

If there is one writer who must continue to work, regardless of a strike, it’s you, Nikki. This coverage - your journalism - has been outstanding.

In full support of our guild’s resolve…I wonder…will we be allowed to write on posterboard?

Or will we have to settle, perforce, for blank picket signs?