On a day when most of Hollywood (and myself) were out from behind their desks making plans for the coming holidays, the WGA was busy putting coal in Big Media's Christmas stockings by filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the AMPTP "for its refusal to bargain in good faith" with the WGA.
"It is a clear violation of federal law for the AMPTP to issue an ultimatum and break off negotiations if we fail to cave to their illegal demands. We are in the midst of the holiday season, with thousands of our members and the membership of other unions out of work. It is the height of irresponsibility and intransigence for the AMPTP to refuse to negotiate a fair agreement with the WGA. We reiterate our demand that the AMPTP immediately return to the negotiations, rather than going on vacation, so that this town can be put back to work. The DGA announced today that it may commence negotiations with the AMPTP in January. The DGA has to do what is best for its membership, and we will do what is best for ours. We wish them well, but they do not represent writers. Our strike will end when the companies return to negotiations and make a fair deal with the WGA.”
The WGA move not only took Hollywood by surprise, it put the Hollywood moguls on the defensive. Immediately, the AMPTP fired back with this snarky statement: "The WGA's filing of a complaint with the NLRB reminds us of the old lawyers' adage: When the facts are on your side, argue the facts. When the law is on your side, argue the law. And when you don't have either the law or the facts on your side, you pound the table. The WGA has now been reduced to pounding the table, and this baseless, desperate NLRB complaint is just the latest indication that the WGA's negotiating strategy has achieved nothing for working writers."
How shockingly ludicrous.
BE FAIR my arse.
Like you have a clue what is fair.
The WGA went on strike.
They should replace leadership and start over.
They are a laughingstock.
Comment by Bouncing Castle — December 13, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
And what is the AMPTP doing for writers? I’ll take my guild over them any day.
Get back to the table AMPTP. You’re the ones pounding on the table.
Comment by girl scribe still walking — December 13, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Wow. Looks like the AMPTP isn’t the only ‘organization’ with cards left to play.
Go WGA!
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
“pounding the table?” at least we’re still AT the table.
i think i smell fear in the AMPTP’s claims - because this IS the law we’re arguing, and they’re breaking it.
Comment by shadow writer — December 13, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
“The WGA’s filing of a complaint with the NLRB reminds us of the old lawyers’ adage: When the facts are on your side, argue the facts. When the law is on your side, argue the law. And when you don’t have either the law or the facts on your side, you pound the table. The WGA has now been reduced to pounding the table. . . .”
Uh, no. The WGA has filed legal charges. They think the law is on their side. And the facts w(hich underlie their legal charges), too.
Try again, Lehane! There are still more cliches you can trot out. . . . (There’s the early bird and the worm, those who forget the past will repeat it, etc. etc. - - - eventually one will fit).
Comment by grimes — December 13, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
The WGA is just doing what any good craftsman does: pounding the head of the hammer on a hard surface before using it to pound on the pinheads in the AMPTP.
Use EVERY tool in the tool belt, the AMPTP doesn’t miss a trick. Neither should we.
Next up: pressure the advertisers who run spots on reality shows.
Comment by aotherWGAmember — December 13, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
Another fine press release from the crack PR team that brought us “The New Economic Bullshit” and “union socialists” — er, “organizers.”
Reduced to pounding the table that the AMPTP left in a huff.
That poor table. Abandoned and abused.
Can’t wait for the next release.
Comment by tc — December 13, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Okay, there’s got to be a few lawyers out there reading this. Does the WGA have a leg to stand on? I just want to get back to work. If this speeds up negotiations - more power to the WGA…This will speed up negotiations right?
Comment by SoonToBeUnemployed — December 13, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Funnier than anything on AMPTP.com. The Guild is pounding the table? Dropping six hysterical ultimatums and running away from the bargaining is somehow rational? They’ve done nothing but pound the table.
“We will not negotiate with you unless you blah blah blah…”
I’m kinda surprised, Nick. You guys really suck at this.
Comment by Ed WGA — December 13, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
The AMPTP calling anything baseless and desperate is a sign of just how awesome this could be. AMPTP, the facts are against you: you couldn’t give the writers a tiny sliver of huge profits, tried to destroy everyone when they went on strike, went to the table with the intention of walking out and did so with a pre-written PR report magically appearing in 20 minutes to blame the writers for your action and then threw hissy fits all over. The law is against you: you lied to the writers and the public about your intentions, and purposefully spun facts to your own agenda. Not to mention that whole working with your competetors thing. Pounding on the table? Please. You’ve been pounding since day one and now you’re scared. You thought you’d win with ease and everyone would ignore your assholic stupidity and lies, but you were wrong. Grow up, admit it, and let everyone go back to work. WGA, this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for since talks broke down. Action, thank heaven, at last. If this doesn’t work, try something else. Whip their asses with everything you have. Seeing AMPTP bitchslapped by the hand they bit as it was trying to feed them will make my Christmas complete.
Comment by Caitlin — December 13, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
Since the WGA is the one who filed charges, I’d say WE ARE using the law AND the facts. Thanks for the old adage, AMPTP. It sounds like your press release is the one that’s pounding fists. You guys are screwed. The next lawsuit will deal with how you exploit reality writers and monopolize media ownership. Again: laws and facts on the side of the WGA.
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
What a surprise. The AMPTP quoting old lawyers. I guess those old lawyers were the same ones who told you that they couldn’t figure out how to make a dime off the newfangled internets. I can not believe this is Lehane’s lame response to getting his clients sued. No wonder the Democrats couldn’t win an election. I’m starting to understand why they call this guy the Master of Disaster. He is pretty good at causing them.
Comment by strikey mcstriker — December 13, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
The actual saying is “When the law is against you, pound the facts, when the facts are against you, pound the law, and when they’re both against you, pound the table”.
The AMPTP just pounded the table.
Comment by john Brownlow — December 13, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Go WGA!! GO Leadership - you’re holding the AMPTP to both the law AND the facts. Clearly they’re unnerved by having to be held accountable for either. The membership is with you!!!!!!
Comment by gwendolyn Parker — December 13, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
I like how every AMPTP statement now tries to emphasize that the WGA leadership doesn’t represent the writers (or “working writers” –as if to form a wedge before those currently working and those not.)
Attacking the leadership ain’t gonna cut it when 90% of the writers voted for the strike.
But keep trying fancy PR guys, keep trying!
Comment by WGA Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
PLEASE READ WITH THE VOICE OF JACKIE CHILES (LAWYER FROM SEINFELD)
“This news is shocking and upsetting, I find their claims baseless, faceless, and clueless”
Comment by Truleader — December 13, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
It is a clear violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement to use ultimatums then walk out. It was also a Violation to agree to bargain for a fair deal if DVD Redisuals increases were taken off the table, then refuse to render an offer and walk out last Nov.
It is also a Violation of Fair Practice Labor Laws to refuse to recognize the rights of writers of animation and reality and refuse to pay them overtime… subjecting them to sweat shop standards. This Nikki has reported will soon be taken up by Political Leaders in the State of California.
It is also a Federal Violation of Accounting Practices and Priciples to “cook the books” to hide profits and in essence steal residuals rightly earned by Talent and others, as Alan Ladd has proven before a CA Jury in just one case. One case, one Property I remind you.
We are dealing with Corporate Bullies who have no regard for fairness or the Law. Some of this behavior is Felonious if not Criminal. It will be interesting to see how all these issues play out in the Court of Public Opinion and the Court of law.
So far, it ain’t looking so good for them. Ask Alan Ladd…
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
I’m sure there’s a labor lawyer around here, so what are the odds of NLRB sanctions?
Comment by Not from Around Here — December 13, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Nick really sucks at his job. Like really bad. Who is he screwing to keep it? Rupert, you dawg!
http://strikingwriter.blogspot.com/
Comment by striking writer — December 13, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
GOOD. Now maybe we can break this stupid corporate monolithic anti competitive antiquated bullshit and negotiate directly with each studio and have some real progress.
I’m drunk so my spelling may be crap.
Comment by snoopfrog — December 13, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
Come on, studios, time to get out from under the AMPTP. If you’re not ashamed of being represented by these clowns you should at least be embarrassed. I wish tomorrow were a regular picketing day. I can’t wait to get back to my gate. Go, WGA leadership, go!
Comment by Lorelei — December 13, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Good for the WGA! They should start using more legal action (or threats of legal action) against the AMPTP. Next they should threaten to get the IRS involved and have them crawl over every inch of the studios books. What if every writer threatened to sue claiming they didn’t receive fair share of profits for their work? Let the IRS climb over all their books for the last 20 years. Bring the joke of Hollywood accounting front and center. The AMPTP might not be scared of the WGA, but I’ll bet even they don’t want to mess with the IRS.
Comment by Smiling Dog — December 13, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
I love Chris Lehane. He’s the best thing that ever happened to the WGA! He’s totally incompetent and he sucking cash out of the AMPTP’s pocket faster than the nets can give it back to their advertisers. This genius quotes old lawyers to improve his client’s image? Hell, why not? Who DOESN’T love old lawyer?! Right? And then he brings up the WGA sitting at table… YOU MEAN THE TABLE THE OLD LAWYER NAMED NICK COUNTER GOT UP AND WALKED AWAY FROM?
Chris Lehane?
Thank you, Jebus!
Comment by Got Script? — December 13, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
The AMPTP sure come off as ridiculous in the statement.
But having a press release prepared and ready to go means nothing. I don’t understand why everyone keeps commenting on it. It’s called thinking ahead. They probably had five different PR statements ready ahead of time. That’s what PR writers do.
This is war and it seems to be getting uglier before it gets better. It’s gonna get better, right?
Comment by AnonAnon — December 13, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Bouncing Castle, Get hold of yourself. Take a deep breath. Put down the two giant plastic bags full of recyclable deposit bottles and think. The AMPTP walked away from the table. The WGA leadership is doing a great job. They aren’t backing down. They aren’t blinking and the membership is standing behind them taking their lead.
I suspect you are one of Tom Short’s soldiers. Practice dropping your rifle and running. That will be the mandate during your next contract negotiation. Good luck. See you back at work whenever that might be.
Comment by RJDocky — December 13, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
that is a very good press release by the amptp.
but i’m not sure it’s gonna fly that they believe the big flaw in the wga’s negotiating strategy is…uh…to negotiate.
Comment by jimmy — December 13, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
Thank You AMPTP for being so concerned with the interests of “working writers”.
Did these guys really put that in their press release?
Anyone else hear that strange wet thumping sound?
That’s Nick Counter beating Chris Lehane’s skull in with his lion’s head cane.
Comment by SexyGirl16 — December 13, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Bouncing Castle,
Whenever I read your name after yet another one of your hate-mongering comments, my imagination conjures up an image of that clown who lives in the gutter in Stephen King’s IT.
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Do you think Lehane is secretly trying to sink the AMPTP? If so, he’s doing a great job.
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
I got it now! Lehane’s still working for the good guys! He’s purposefully sabotaging the AMPTP from the inside!
Comment by Jeff G. — December 13, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
This is hardball, for sure… but maybe it’s time for hardball. The WGA has been nothing but diplomatic for five weeks. What has it gotten us? Nothing.
Lawsuits are the only leverage and language the Studios understand. At this point, I’m ready for a new tack. I’ve resigned myself to a crappy Christmas and am settling in for a long fight. The only thing I want now is for the Studios to suffer as much as possible. Who knows, when this is all said and done, the Studios may go the way of the silent movies.
If I was a lower level to upper level Studio exec (basically, anyone without a golden parachute) I would be shitting bricks right now. Writers will always be needed. Writers will always have value. When a new production system emerges, who’s gonna need some out of work “development” exec? If it’s in anyone’s interest to get this strike over with asap, it’s these development people.
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
See, and I always picture Chris Lehane as played by Martin Short’s SNL tobacco-lobbyist, Nathan Thurm.
Reporter: Today the WGA filed charges against the AMPTP claiming unfair labor practices.
Chris Lehane: I know that. You think I don’t know that? I’m well aware of that. So they wrote up a charge. That’s what they do. Writers write. It’s no big deal.
Comment by unitedwesit — December 13, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
What PJ-Writer said! Exactly.
If it’s so “baseless and desperate” why are they so scared? If they didn’t know they are SO screwed now, they’d be happy. If the charges are ultimately found to be “baseless”, it would be disastrous for the WGA and the writers cause… but we all know, AMPTP and their PR lackeys included, that it’s anything but.
Man, the AMPTP/Nick Counter are not only greedy but DUMB! As any totalitarian/dictator worth his salt will tell you, give the people just enough to keep them from revolting. They couldn’t even do that and now… HA HA!
Comment by Thomas Cunningham — December 13, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I’m starting to get a whiff…it’s smelling like collusion and antitrust. My guess is it won’t be that long until D.C. actually gets involved. Hmmm, who’s gonna be laughing then, AMPTP?
Comment by I'mlovinit — December 13, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
So the WGA filed a charge against the amptp who, in turn, fired off a statement right back. Ok. So, what good did all that do? Are we any closer to the only thing that matters - a new contract?
Comment by James — December 13, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
I, for one, appreciate how the AMPTP is looking out for me. Now, I win either way!
Comment by Working Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
As a labor attorney I can tell you that the chances of any (competent) judge sanctioning the Amptp are very low. They don’t appreciate litigants who behave like children, and are loathe to intervene on situations such as this.
That said, another front has been opened. And I would not want to be representing management in this mess, no sir, no way.
Comment by alan friendly — December 13, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Now let’s hope the NLRB isn’t so packed with Bush cronies, like the FCC, that they can actually respond appropriately to the WGA’s well-founded complaint. The law is with us, the public is with us, we’re winning the PR war, the moguls are sinking into a swamp of desperation - so what will it take for them to scream Uncle? I’m getting the feeling that the networks/studios are throwing themselves off the cliff for some reason. And much as I don’t enjoy picketing in the cold and rain or being unemployed and broke or seeing the toll this strike is taking on all production employees, I’m actually enjoying this on some level - watching the big bad bullies crying in the playground because the mean writers are picking on them, when the bullies are the ones who started the fight in the first place. It’s like Davey & Goliath meets Revenge of the Nerds. Then pen is DEFINITELY mightier than the sword, and our pens are mightier than the pens of those hack PR people who are probably failed wanna-be screenwriters who couldn’t make it in Hollywood so now they’re stuck writing press releases. The AMPTP has been completely unsuccessful in sowing dissension among the WGA. We are more than unified. We are actually gleeful as we poke fun at them and watch them squirm.
Comment by WGAE Member — December 13, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
I’m sure Gavin Polone will have something important to say about this. Come on Gavin we’re waiting for your wisdom!
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
As a former lawywer with some experience in labor law, I would say that the WGA’s claim against the AMPTP does seem to have some merit. It really depends on some very specific facts. If the scenario is as reported here on DHD, it is technically a violation to issue an ultimatum, refuse to discuss the specifics of that ultimatum, then walk away from the table. That pretty much fits the definition of “not bargaining in good faith.”
Assuming the NLRB is free from political influence from Rupert et al (big assumption) they will most likely issue a ruling that orders the AMPTP back to the table. That would be a nice PR victory for the WGA, but hardly means the AMPTP will now bargain in good faith or be any more likely to truly negotiate before it gets into it with the DGA.
As for the response from Lehane and company, that quote about not having the law on its side will seem especially foolish when the WGA wins its lawsuit.
Comment by formerlawyer — December 13, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
AnonAnon, yes, that’s what PR agents do, but the point is the AMPTP released a statement blaming the writers for “talks collapsing” minutes after they walked out. Their statement on the end of talks was written before talks. It proves they were never planning to negotiate in good faith, which in turn proves them to be a bunch of liars. As for things getting better, I think they will. Or at least I desperately hope they will. And I think this will help.
Comment by Caitlin — December 13, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
YES!
It’s on now, AMPTP ma f******s!
Don’t want to play fair. FINE!
The cops are comin’!
RJDocky, butter would not melt in your mouth!
Love ya!
Comment by e — December 13, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
God-willing, this is the beginning of the end. This was the last thing studios expected in a million years — that someone would have the balls to actually hold them accountable to the law.
This entire negotiation system is illegal, starting with the competitors colluding under the AMPTP. If these idiot moguls don’t settle this out quickly, the WGA will hopefully be turning to the IRS next to take a look at the “net profit” books.
Hollywood is a house of cards built on an illusion. All it takes is for the law to get involved, and the whole thing collapses.
God bless the WGA leaders for having the guts to finally say the emperor has no clothes!
Comment by Rhett — December 13, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Actually the WGA is arguing the facts.
Comment by whippersnapperuta — December 13, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
Finally our leadership is showing some balls. Now audit the bastards going back to 1965. Keep them on the defensive. Keep it clear to all (as it is now) who is trying to negotiate and who his pounding the table. And whatever you have to do, keep Lehane in his current job. Little will help the writers’ cause with everyone else more than their insulting 1950s vintage “organizers” language and their ham-fisted attempts to divide and conquer with those cheap nods to “working writers” and that pretense of concern for the “little people” that couldn’t sound more cliched if it were in a Perils of Pauline short from the 20s.
Comment by striker — December 13, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
Oh, another word up to the AMPTP, good luck driving that wedge between “working writers” and guild leadership.
Today, in New York, 300 working writers marched for three hours in a sleet storm. To support our leadership and our guild.
You sucker punched us two Fridays in a row, and we keep getting up off the floor. As of now, there are what, five or six shows left shooting, on both coasts? TCA cancelled, upfronts teetering, Christmas movies not being promoted on SNL, or Late Night or Leno — things are just going great for you guys.
We don’t like seeing people out of work (even though IATSE didn’t give a damn about collateral damage when their stagehands struck in New York), we don’t like being out of work. But we’ll march all winter and beyond, until you come back to the table and cut us a fair deal.
The AMPTP eventually will make a deal, or they’ll render themselves irrelevant.
WGA East on the line
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
The AMPTP said:
The WGA’s filing of a complaint with the NLRB reminds us of the old lawyers’ adage: When the facts are on your side, argue the facts. When the law is on your side, argue the law. And when you don’t have either the law or the facts on your side, you pound the table.”
That is an old lawyers’ adage from trials, not from bargaining and negotiations. It makes absolutely no sense in this context. It’d be like saying you never hit and run with two outs if you were talking about a basketball game. In other words, it’s stupid.
Mostly it shows how the AMPTP and/or the studio general counsels need to start vetting the press releases of the Clintonites. It seems like the AMPTP has handed Lehane and Fabiani the keys to the strike, and these newbies are promptly driving it into a ravine.
Kudos to Verrone, Young and especially Tony Segall. They have made the studio chiefs look like morons since day one.
Comment by Way To Go! — December 13, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Are there really 300 “working writers” in New York? By working I mean making a living at writing for television or features in the last year.
Comment by nice — December 13, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Well played, WGA! Meanwhile, the AMPTP’s PR Team apparently can’t even get the “old lawyers” quote right. Dare we hope that the NLRB will act swiftly? More to the point, dare we hope that there are a few rational members left within the AMPTP, who will now order Mr. Counter to try a new strategy — like, oh, say, actually negotiating. The Dick Cheney act is wearing a bit thin…
Comment by Longtime WGA Member — December 13, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Anonymous @5:42 has a good point.
When will the studios and networks start firing all their lower and mid-level executives and support staff?
What’s the point of having all those script and series development departments sitting around collecting paychecks when there is no development?
So when those hundreds of people start getting fired, who will they blame? The writers who went on strike? Or the bosses who fired them?
The same bosses who could end this strike in a day if they wanted to.
Comment by benn — December 13, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
Many if not most of the studio chiefs involved in this battle are Democrats. Granted these are the kind of people who would sell out their MOTHERS for a buck yet alone their cause, but are there any writers or FOWs out there who know Barbra and could get her to talk to the Clintons and have them give Fabiani & Lehane a good ol’ spanking for their disgusting union-busting of the past week?
Or how about a petition of elected Democratic officials at both the state and federal level who will vow to never hire Fib & Lie again for taking blood money to break unions.
Also, pressure needs to be applied to Messrs. Zucker, Moonves, Iger, Chernin, Murdoch, Redstone, Dauman, Stringer, Meyer, Bewkes, et al where it hurts — at their country clubs, private schools, restaurants. All writers and FOWs need to go up to them when they see them and, either politely or not so, let them know how disgusted you are by their union-busting tactics. Also, if we can get twenty people past NBC security to ruin a Carson Daly taping, surely we can sneak into the moguls’ kids holiday plays and use the same “stand up and make a statement” tactics. These people are laughing about destroying our kids’ Christmas, let’s show them that we can ruin theirs as well.
Comment by Time to get serious -- they are — December 13, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
Why aren’t the d-girls and male d-girls getting pinkslips? Are they busy developing Extreme Makeover: Shihi-tzu Edition? (I’d actually watch that one…)
They must be really bored. Who will they tell to “raise the stakes” or “start the story sooner.” What a racket! How do they even get these jobs? We should add another demand to our list: Force every d-girl/boy to write a spec script before they ever give notes to writers. “Hang a lantern” on that.
Comment by ww — December 13, 2007 @ 8:26 pm
Now, let’s urge the WGA to actually get the balls to file a class action suit against the studios for their bullshit accounting that has screwed us out of hundreds of millions of dollars over the years.
Who here has a movie that’s shown a profit?
Bueller? Anyone?
Apparently, the internet’s not the only thing they can’t figure out how to make money on.
Reminds me of the old adage: “When the facts are on your side, steal. When the law is on your side, steal. And when you don’t have either the law or the facts on your side, steal some more.”
Comment by Working Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
Nice,
Yes there are really 300 working writers in New York. Actually, many many more than that
Come to the line and meet them. Day after day. Emmy winners and nominees,Oscar winners and nominees, Pulitzer winners, Tony winners, showrunners, writer- directors, staffs of soaps, Letterman,Conan,Colbert, Stewart,the View, LOCI, L and O. Sex and the City, SNL, Monk. Hacks like Andy Bergman, Andy Breckman, Alan Zweibel, Tony Kushner, Tom Fontana, Peter Hedges, Tony Gilroy, Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron, Brian Koppleman, Eric Overmyer, Cindy Lou Johnson, Richard Dresser, Delia Ephron, Buck Henry, Tina Fey, Amy Sherman, Julie Martin, Rene Balcer, Warren Leight, Marsha Norman, Adam Brooks, Walter Bernstein (in his late 80s, and marching alongside the 20-year-olds from Colbert).
It’s a stunningly impressive group, and they’re out there everyday, along with hundreds of working writers you haven’t heard of who work just as hard. Drop by the line and see for yourself, or maybe just withdraw your ignorant question.
WGA East on the line
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
per the NLRB papers filed by the WGA - Nick Counter’s number is 818-995-3600.
Comment by Sherlock — December 13, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
how about a class action against both AMPTP and WGA by BTL and everyone affected?
Comment by anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
Re: Are there really 300 “working writers” in New York? By working I mean making a living at writing for television or features in the last year.
Dear (not) nice,
You’re either an astroturfer trying to sow seeds of dissension or else you’ve had a picket sign up your ass for too long. Yes, the east coast has 3000 members to the west coast 9000, but if you calculate percentages, I’m sure we’re about even. And think about it - if you can make a living on the east coast, it’s more of an accomplishment given how many fewer productions are based here. The way I see it is - most east coast writers would rather stay here if they could and just move to the west coast if they have to. So those of us who can make it here are lucky! And there are plenty of us.
Comment by WGAE Member — December 13, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
I saw the line in New York. Not all 300 people walking the line were “working writers”. By working I mean getting paid to write television and films with money in the year before the strike. Not writer wanabees, students, actors, kids or dogs, Writers who had job on a show when the walk out happened. I’d like to know those numbers. Plenty of lies on both sides it seems.
Comment by nice — December 14, 2007 @ 6:01 am
excellent move wga, sad it had to be done, but thrilled at your bold action to get back to the table!
dga guy
Comment by hurting — December 14, 2007 @ 7:08 am
Re: I saw the line in New York. Not all 300 people walking the line were “working writers”. By working I mean getting paid to write television and films with money in the year before the strike. Not writer wanabees, students, actors, kids or dogs, Writers who had job on a show when the walk out happened. I’d like to know those numbers. Plenty of lies on both sides it seems.
Dear (not) nice,
When you say you “saw” the line, does that mean you weren’t on it? Are you criticizing those who are strong enough to stand up for their principles when you were simply gawking? And did you take a survey to determine which of them had earned money for writing in the previous year? Did you ask for copies of their tax returns? When I’ve walked the line, and I’m a working, permanently vested WGAE writer who has earned a good living from writing for television every single year for the past fifteen years of my TV career, I see the writers from Colbert, the Daily Show, SNL, Conan, Law & Order, soaps, features, kids’ TV, and the list goes on and on. And every single one of them is currently working. And if some of the picketers were supporters vs. working writers, so what? What’s your point? Are YOU a working writer? How much have you earned from your feature or TV work? What makes you so special?
Comment by WGAE Member — December 14, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Nice,
How’s your career going for you.
Sincerely,
Working WGA East writer, on the line
PS - You didn’t answer the post that dropped writer names who marched in the sleet. Guess we can’t let the facts get in the way of our snark.
Comment by Anonymous — December 14, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Give the writers their due! I support 100% the writers. I hope the negotiations soon will be re-established and this strike will end. I’m just a mother and TV viewer. I live in fear that we will get fed more reality TV by producers who want to make this strike linger…thus killing whatever brain cells I have left.
Comment by Sally — December 16, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Bouncing Castle,
Sorry, dude. I was a total dick in my post at 5:34 on the 13th. I had just had a lousy day of canceling cable, Netflix and newspaper in order to save $, and then read your post.
I shouldn’t have made a snarky attempt at a joke. Now you know why I am not a comedy writer.
Comment by Anonymous @ 5:34 — December 17, 2007 @ 6:30 pm