Writers Strike

[Darth Gaos]

Man it is nice to be a member of a community that seems thoughtful and rational in their views.  It seem the vitriol on both sides is starting to get a bit nastier since the Late night crews went back to work.

I happen to agree with most here...Unions should be thinked or what they did...in the past for workers rights.  Sometimes in the present day they are still a good thing, however more and more it seems their line of thinking ( as evidenced by Rick's story) is "how much money for how little work".  I had to laugh when a few writers were angrily sniping at Mike Huckabee for crossing the picket line to be on with Jay Leno last week.  I would hazard a guess that a vast majority of the member of WGA had absolutely ZERO intention of even considering to vote for Mike Huckabee for President so their righteous indignation came off as a bit hollow and disingenuous...I dunno maybe that was just me.

Here's hoping this gets resolved soon cuz football is almost over.

[space_invader64]

The same reporters would have no problem when a one of the canidates goes on a news talk show like Larry King or Meet the Press. 

I do think that Episode of the Tonight Show was one of the best in years.  Jay is really funny.

I also like to see Jay interview the politics because he does a friendly funny interview.  The other guys want to debate them.

[jedijeff]

Unions fall into a real grey area for me. As others mentioned there are positives and negatives. I work for a large Internation company, we do not have a union, but at times it would be nice if we did. It seems with large corporations, workers sometimes get lost in the numbers, and it seems that the corporations can make their own rules. There are labour laws, but for me working in tech, it seems like a lot of them do not apply to me due to my job type and industry. I would be nice to know that a third party was looking out for my best interests. That said, a union in my industry could hurt people looking to advance in their careers, and lump them in with everyone else in terms of pay and bonuses. A friend of mine works in a Union doing labour type jobs. He has been with the place he has worked for for over 14 years, but when it comes to Salary, he makes the same as a person just hired. Everyone gets the same raise and pay, regardless of the quality of work. The only advantage I see for him, is that since everyone makes the same, he is less likely to lose his job, for making more then someone else for doing the same job.

Like everyone else has said, it is sad to see all the people who are not in the Writers Union hurt by this. When this is settled, I doubt there will be anyone coming into to take care of those folks, and to me, that will be the saddest story in all of this.

[Darth Gaos]

Yes if nothing else Jay can rest assured that if he is no longer welcome on the WGA that he at least was a bit more "big picture and, to borrow the phrase from Star Trek, put the needs of the many (160+ members of the crew) above the needs of the few (20 or so writers).

[markinro]

I come from what was once known as a Timber Town.  The big pulp mills and logging industry have always been union here.  My Dad and Grandpa were union for 30 plus years.  I have seen the good and the bad that comes from it.  I remember my dad being on strike a few times, once for a few months.  That caused a lot of stress at our house, but eventually things got worked out.


When I worked as summer help for a local pulp mill when I was going through college I was forced to join the union.  I payed dues every month, and if there was a problem with the company the union would go to bat for me, but on the flip side... the other guys that were hired with me were made to slow down and take our time to get things done.  On our first day a bunch of old timers came to us and told us to make the job that we were doing last for three days.  In reality we could have finished in two hours.  They told us we would regret doing things quick and that if we wanted a smooth time during the summer that we should do what they told us.  So they were messing the company over by having the union help them slack off.  It wasn't a good situation.  One time we had to wait over two days for an electrician to change a light bulb, cause we would get in trouble from the union if one of us clean up guys changed it.  CRAZY!

So,I think in their original form, Unions are good, but like everything else in life, they can get corrupt and take advantage of the system.

There you go, my  :2cents

You see, that's why I can't join a union.  They would likely have to - how do I put this -- "discourage my eagerness" ?  I hope the writer's don't act like this.  What in a nutshell is the core issue and have they made any progress ?

[Rico]

The basics are the writers want some compensation for DVD sales and internet distribution of things they write.  And from what I have heard they are not asking for a lot of actual money.  A very small percentage.  There are probably a few other side issues, but that is the crux of the matter.  As far as if any progress has been made, I don't think much.

[Geekyfanboy]

News

Official: United Artists Announces Writers Guild Deal
Source: United Artists Films, MGM
January 7, 2008

United Artists Films has released the following announcement regarding its deal with the Writers Guild of America (WGA):

The Writers Guild of America and legendary United Artists Films have reached a mutually beneficial independent agreement. While the details are not being disclosed in this announcement, the comprehensive agreement addresses the issues important to writers, including New Media.

As a result of this agreement, Writers Guild members will be able to work with United Artists while the strike against other companies continues.

The agreement is unique to United Artists Films and does not involve Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), a shareholder of United Artists Entertainment.

"United Artists has lived up to its name. UA and the Writers Guild came together and negotiated seriously. The end result is that we have a deal that will put people back to work," said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West.

"This agreement is important, unique, and makes good business sense for United Artists. In keeping with the philosophy of its original founders, artists who sought to create a studio in which artists and their creative visions could flourish, we are pleased to have reached an agreement with the WGA," said UA co-owner and CEO Paula Wagner.

On the other hand, MGM released the folowing statement, saying that it does not agree with United Artists' decision:

Regarding United Artists Films seeking an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America (WGA): Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) understands the desire of United Artists to resume its business activities, but respectfully disagrees with its decision to sign an interim agreement with the WGA.

MGM remains committed to working with AMPTP member companies to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with the WGA that positions everyone in our industry for success in a rapidly changing marketplace.

[Jen]

So UA made a side deal with the WGA... The strike isn't really over.

[Geekyfanboy]

No the strike is far from over... just companies trying to make side deals with them. Which I think really defeats the whole purpose of the strike. What's the point in striking if companies can make there own deals with the WGA.

[Rico]

Exactly Kenny.  Almost seems anti-union and anti-solidarity to me.  I'm telling you, this is a sign of the future.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Exactly Kenny.  Almost seems anti-union and anti-solidarity to me.  I'm telling you, this is a sign of the future.

It could be.  People may be getting fed up with the union they work for.  Who knows...

King

[Darth Gaos]

Well at least we know now that the next James Bond movie will get done.....right? ;D

[Geekyfanboy]

Here's another negative result from the Writers strike.. Warner Bros announced that it's possible that they will be laying off over 1000 jobs from there Burbank Warner Brother Studios after this Friday... and still not talks going on.

[Geekyfanboy]

Independents Get In Line

David Letterman's Worldwide Pants started it, Tom Cruise followed up and now more independent film and production companies are getting in line to make their own deals with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), ignoring the powerful studio/network bargining arm of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The next in line is The Weinstein Co., which is one of the largest independent moviemakers in the industry. It has high expectations in its current negotiations with the writers of the Guild.

The terms of the Weinstein/WGA deal have not been made public, however, most are expecting the same kind of arrangement made with Letterman and then Cruise/Wagner's United Artists.

If the deal gets signed, the Weinstein Company could return to production on shelved and delayed projects within a month.

[Darth Gaos]

But, with the exception of Letterman obviously, these are all movie companies, correct....still no relief as far as TV goes....am I reading that correctly?