(2/11/08)
This is a message from Bernie Corbett, Writers' Guild of Great Britain: Dear Chuck, Mona and all WGA colleagues, The Writers' Guild of Great Britain Executive Council met today (Monday) and members were delighted that a deal is being recommended... Read more.
(2/4/08)
I would like to update you on where we stand with bargaining with the AMPTP. While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out. Read more.
(2/4/08)
This is a message from Larry Gelbart (posted on United Hollywood): "This is Larry Gelbart. In all my decades as a member of the WGA I’ve learned a few lessons about strikes and negotiations, the most important being that it’s never over ’til it’s over..." Read more.
(1/31/08)
Free BandAid concert to benefit industry support fund tomorrow night, Friday, 2/1/08. Read more.
(1/22/08)
On Wednesday, January 23, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations. Both the AMPTP and the WGA have agreed to make no public comments about the informal discussions until those discussions have concluded.
(1/17/08)
Now that the DGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP, the terms of the deal will be carefully analyzed and evaluated by the WGA, the WGA's Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board of Directors, and the WGAE Council. We will work with the full membership of both Guilds to discuss our strategies for our own negotiations and contract goals and how they may be affected by such a deal. Read more.
(1/17/08)
On The DGA Talks
“We’ve been just as anxious as you to hear news from the Directors’ Guild talks. We hope they make a good deal, and when they close their deal and it does become public, we’ll look at it very, very carefully. The deal we make has more influence not only on writers but on actors down the road so there has to be a settlement that ends all of this for everyone.” -- WGAW Patric Verrone on Fox Business Network, Jan 16, 2008
(1/15/08)
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) announced today at a press conference that it will sign an interim agreement with the NAACP for The 39th NAACP Image Awards, which will take place on February 14, 2008, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Read more.
(1/14/08)
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and MRC, the independent film, television, and digital studio, have reached a comprehensive interim agreement that forges a new alliance between writers, producers, and financiers in the production of feature films, television shows, and digital programs. Read more.
(1/11/08)
The Weinstein Company (TWC) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced today that they have signed a comprehensive independent agreement. While the details are not being disclosed, the deal addresses the issues important to writers, including New Media. Read more.
(1/7/08)
This morning, United Artists signed an independent agreement. This company, now co-owned by Paula Wagner and Tom Cruise, has been legendary for its collaborative and cooperative relationships with writers and the talent community, so it is only fitting that it be the first film studio to make an agreement with us.
(12/28/07)
"Big media walked away from the table and refuses to negotiate. The media conglomerates know that the core issue in these negotiations is new media. Read more.
(12/20/07)
“A new USA Today/Gallup Poll shows that 60 percent of Americans support the Writers Guild of America in their fight against the media corporations. The American people overwhelmingly support the writers because they realize our cause is just and our proposal is fair... Read more.
(12/19/07)
“Today the Los Angeles City Council's Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee held a hearing on the economic impact of the Writers Guild strike. John F. Bowman, Chairman of the WGA's Negotiating Committee, testified with hundreds of Guild members in attendance... Read more.
(12/18/07)
Join your fellow WGA members tomorrow morning downtown at the L.A. City Council. Read more.
(12/13/07)
Today the WGA filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the AMPTP for its refusal to bargain in good faith with the WGA. Read more.
(12/7/07)
Today, after three days of discussions, the AMPTP came back to us with a proposal that included a total rejection of our proposal on Internet streaming of December 3. Read more.
(12/5/07)
The Writers Guilds met today with the AMPTP and discussed issues of jurisdiction for original content for the Internet, Reality TV, Animation, and Basic Cable. The talks also were focused on contract enforcement. For the last two days, we have had substantive discussions of the issues important to writers, the first time this has occurred in this negotiation. Read more.
(12/3/07)
As our strike reaches its fourth week, I know many of you are wondering why, even during negotiations, despite family responsibilities and other obligations, we must take to the streets. Read more.
(11/29/07)
After four days of bargaining with the AMPTP, we are writing to let you know that, though we are still at the table, the press blackout has been lifted. Our inability to communicate with our members has left a vacuum of information that has been filled with rumors, both well intentioned and deceptive. Read more.
(11/28/07)
Writers Garner Unprecedented Support Across the Globe
Screen and TV writers around the world took to the streets today to show their support for the four-week-old strike of the Writers Guild of America. In Berlin, over 100 German writers, carrying WGA picket signs, marched at the Brandenberg Gate. Read more.
(11/26/07)
Variety Readers Overwhelmingly Back Writers' Cause. Read more.
(11/19/07)
Labor Solidarity with Writers March and Rally Tuesday - Nov. 20. Read more.
(11/16/07)
Leaders from the WGA and the AMPTP have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on November 26. No other details or press statements will be issued.
(11/15/07)
Following his public statement of solidarity with the Writers Guild of America last week, U.S. Senator John Edwards will join striking writers on the picket line Friday, November 16 to support the WGA in its ongoing fight to secure a fair and reasonable deal. Location: NBC Entertainment, 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, CA (at the NBC sign on corner).
(11/13/07)
The WGAW responds to the AMPTP: "Mr. Counter's charge is as offensive as it is untrue. To accuse the Writers Guild of America of blacklisting, when it was we who suffered the most from it in the past, is simply Mr. Counter's desperate attempt to divert attention from the fact that it was he who walked out of the negotiations, and it is he who refuses every day to return to the table. The WGA has an offer on the table and is ready and willing to meet with the AMPTP any day, anywhere."
(11/11/07)
BRING YOUR KIDS! We invite all of our WGA members and union supporters to bring their children to walk the picket lines at various locations throughout the Los Angeles area. Read more.
(11/11/07)
To Our Brothers and Sisters of IATSE Local One: This letter is to express our heartfelt and vocal support of IATSE Local One's strike against the League of American Theatres and Producers. Read more.
(11/9/07)
More than 4,000 striking writers massed in Century City Friday, shutting down Avenue of the Stars during a rally in front of the business offices of Fox Corp. The demonstrators then picketed along Pico Boulevard at the main gate to the famed 20th Century Fox studios. Read more.
(11/8/07)
This week, the WGAW rocked the entertainment industry. Our strike has demonstrated our unity and our resolve to get a fair deal from the media conglomerates. Tomorrow, join thousands of your fellow writers at Fox Plaza in a major show of solidarity. Do not go to any other picket location. This will be the only picketing to be held on Friday... Read more.
(11/7/07)
To My Fellow Members, here are my thoughts following Day Three of our struggle. We increased Monday's 3,000 person turnout on Tuesday to nearly 3,200. Wednesday we had over 3,300. I have tried to visit all the pickets personally but I have still not made it out to ABC Prospect ... Read more.
(11/6/07)
Statements of support from the three leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States... Read more.
(11/4/07)
Early today, the WGA completely withdrew its DVD proposal, which the Companies said was a stumbling block. Yet, the Companies still insisted on the following... Read more.
(11/2/07)
The Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Council of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), acting upon the authority granted them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Monday, November 5. Read more.
(11/1/07)
Thursday night, nearly 3,000 WGA members packed the LA Convention Center. At this meeting, the largest membership meeting in Guild history, writers heard the WGA Negotiating Committee’s report on the status of negotiations. The Negotiating Committee reported that the AMPTP had called a halt to negotiations by demanding we accept the extension of the current DVD formula to new media. Read more.
(10/31/07)
Today, just hours before the expiration of our contract, the AMPTP brought negotiations to a halt. The Companies refused to continue to bargain unless we agree that the hated DVD formula be extended to Internet downloads. Read more.
(10/30/07)
“Today's negotiations began at 10:00 AM. No significant progress was made. At 4:30 PM, we informed the AMPTP that we would prepare a comprehensive package proposal for their review today. At 6:45 PM, we told them the proposal would be ready in 15 minutes. Management negotiators responded by saying they preferred to leave for the day and hear our proposal tomorrow, the expiration date of our contract.”
(10/26/07)
“This morning, we responded to the package presented yesterday by the AMPTP. We agreed to several of their proposals and withdrew or modified a number of our own proposals in order to narrow the areas in dispute. We also proposed a smaller working group to address several enforcement proposals made by both sides. The AMPTP caucused for more than four hours and returned with a package that included new rollbacks related to our pension and health funds. Read more.
(10/25/07)
“Our employers are growing and dominate the global entertainment industry. Yet their opening offer would have rolled back our compensation by 50%. Now they decrease the rollbacks to 45% and proclaim that they are truly bargaining. Minor adjustments to major rollbacks do not constitute forward motion. To make a deal, the AMPTP must engage with us on the issues that matter in this negotiation. With that in mind, we will respond to their proposal tomorrow.”
(10/22/07)
The Writers of Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have issued the following statement regarding Contract 2007 negotiations: “We have no intention of discussing the producers’ rollback proposals. Not now, not ever. The producers asked to take Tuesday off to caucus.”
(10/19/07)
In an historic demonstration of unity, members of the Writers of Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have overwhelmingly authorized a strike in the event WGA negotiators determine that a fair and reasonable contract cannot be negotiated with the networks and studios. The current contract expires on October 31. Members of the two Guilds cast 5,507 votes with 90.3% voting for authorization. This vote represents the highest turnout in Guild history, surpassing the previous Guild record of 4,128 votes cast in the 2001 MBA contract ratification. Read more.
(10/16/07)
Today, the AMPTP took one of its many rollbacks off the table. We welcome that, and hope it means the Companies are ready to begin serious negotiations. The remaining rollbacks would gut our contract and will never be acceptable to writers. Moving forward, we have extremely important issues to deal with, including new media, home video, jurisdiction, and enforcement. By maintaining our resolve, we will come out of these negotiations with a good contract that not only benefits writers, but the entire entertainment industry and the communities that depend on it.
(10/15/07)
"WGA members don't need management's help in determining the rules that would apply during a work stoppage. Writers will make that decision democratically and for themselves. The AMPTP should worry less about our internal processes and more about avoiding a strike by negotiating a fair agreement."
(10/11/07)
“As we move toward our contract expiration on October 31, we look forward to a serious discussion with the Companies. There are a number of important issues that must be dealt with, including home video, new media, and jurisdiction. So far the AMPTP has not been serious.”
(10/10/07)
“We appreciate the AMPTP’s offer to provide economic data to back up their arguments regarding the home video formula. We look forward to continuing the discussion of this critically important topic.”
(10/9/07)
“Under the current DVD formula, a writer receives four cents for every $15 DVD sold. Our reasonable proposal is to increase our share to eight cents per DVD. This is far less than the cost of the box the DVD comes in,” said John F. Bowman, chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee. At today's negotiating session with the AMPTP, we made a presentation concerning our home video proposal. We also gave the AMPTP contract language on 19 of our 26 proposals. Bargaining will resume tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
(10/5/07)
John Bowman, Chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee, and Negotiating Committee members Susannah Grant, Neal Baer, Bill Condon, and Shawn Ryan have issued the following statement: Read more.
(10/4/07)
The WGA conducted negotiations with the AMPTP today that concluded at 4:30pm and will resume tomorrow.
(10/1/07)
We are writing today to alert you to an important piece of mail which you will receive this week. Read more.
(9/26/07)
MBA negotiations will resume next Thursday, October 4. The WGA remains ready to bargain on the critical issues facing our industry to reach a fair and reasonable deal.
(9/24/07)
Hot Off The Electronic Press!
Contract Bulletin #3 has just been published in PDF format. You can read it HERE. Look for the print version in your mailbox in the next few days. In this issue, the focus is on why jurisdiction matters. Read more.
(9/21/07)
And now a word from our sponsor?
While product placement has existed for decades in the U.S., product integration has seen considerable growth in recent years. This blurring of the line between content and commerce has prompted concern in the talent community. In negotiations, we are proposing that writers should be consulted about potential product integration into a script and have effective participation in decisions. Click HERE to read the latest press coverage from the WGAW’s participation in this week’s FCC hearing in Chicago and click HERE to read WGAW President Patric Verrone’s complete testimony from that hearing.
(9/20/07)
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) held a full day of negotiations today and recessed at 4 p.m. Scheduling for the next session will be done in the next day or so. Next week, trustees of the Producer-Writers Guild of American Pension Plan and Writers' Guild-Industry Health Fund will hold a previously scheduled meeting on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25.
(9/20/07)
Talks with the AMPTP resumed on September 19 and will continue today at WGA headquarters. Check-in here for updates.
(8/3/07)
Fudging the Numbers?
We've been saying it all along. Now read the latest installment of the Hollywood accounting debacle. Read more.
(7/20/07)
Take My Study... Please
The Companies have been talking about conducting a new media study ad nauseam. Here are the answers to some questions you might have. Read more.
(7/18/07)
Contract 2007 Opening Remarks from Negotiating Committee Chairman John F. Bowman
First of all, I want to congratulate our corporate partners at CBS, Time Warner, News Corp., Disney, Viacom, and NBC-Universal on what appears to be another great year for entertainment revenues and profits. Box office is up, and broadcasters are getting ad rate increases across the board, driven largely by digital content created by many of the people in this room. We are all of us very fortunate to be working in an industry that is thriving. Read more.
(7/16/07)
Today, the Writers Guild of America will begin bargaining with the AMPTP and the networks for a new Minimum Basic Agreement. While fully aware of the many challenges we face, we enter these contract negotiations confident that we can reach an agreement that will advance writers’ present and future interests. Our committee is prepared to present our initial set of proposals this week, based on the member-ratified Pattern of Demands. Read more.