The Writers Strike, Victory At Last?

I found this this morning at United Hollywood. While it would seem that the strike may be over, I urge all to exercise a bit of cautious optimism. In other words, let's wait and see...








From United Hollywood...

This was sent early this morning to membership. The delay in publishing the deal points, we've learned, was because the companies dragged their feet enshrining some of the final details in an attempt to renege on some of what they had promised. The last-minute fight to keep that from happening took until late last night.


To Our Fellow Members,

We have a tentative deal.

It is an agreement that protects a future in which the Internet becomes the primary means of both content creation and delivery. It creates formulas for revenue-based residuals in new media, provides access to deals and financial data to help us evaluate and enforce those formulas, and establishes the principle that, "When they get paid, we get paid."

Specific terms of the agreement are described in the summary at the following link - here- and will be further discussed at our Saturday membership meetings on both coasts. At those meetings we will also discuss how we will proceed regarding ratification of this agreement and lifting the restraining order that ends the strike. Details of the Los Angeles meeting can be found at here.

Less than six months ago, the AMPTP wanted to enact profit-based residuals, defer all Internet compensation in favor of a study, forever eliminate "distributor's gross" valuations, and enforce 39 pages of rollbacks to compensation, pension and health benefits, reacquisition, and separated rights. Today, thanks to three months of physical resolve, determination, and perseverance, we have a contract that includes WGA jurisdiction and separated rights in new media, residuals for Internet reuse, enforcement and auditing tools, expansion of fair market value and distributor's gross language, improvements to other traditional elements of the MBA, and no rollbacks.

Over these three difficult months, we shut down production of nearly all scripted content in TV and film and had a serious impact on the business of our employers in ways they did not expect and were hard pressed to deflect. Nevertheless, an ongoing struggle against seven, multinational media conglomerates, no matter how successful, is exhausting, taking an enormous personal toll on our members and countless others. As such, we believe that continuing to strike now will not bring sufficient gains to outweigh the potential risks and that the time has come to accept this contract and settle the strike.

Much has been achieved, and while this agreement is neither perfect nor perhaps all that we deserve for the countless hours of hard work and sacrifice, our strike has been a success. We activated, engaged, and involved the membership of our Guilds with a solidarity that has never before occurred. We developed a captains system and a communications structure that used the Internet to build bonds within our membership and beyond. We earned the backing of other unions and their members worldwide, the respect of elected leaders and politicians throughout the nation, and the overwhelming support of fans and the general public. Our thanks to all of them, and to the staffs at both Guilds who have worked so long and patiently to help us all.

There is much yet to be done and we intend to use all the techniques and relationships we've developed in this strike to make it happen. We must support our brothers and sisters in SAG who, as their contract expires in less than five months, will be facing many of the same challenges we have just endured. We must further pursue new relationships we have established in Washington and in state and local governments so that we can maintain leverage against the consolidated multinational conglomerates with whom we bargain. We must be vigilant in monitoring the deals that are made in new media so that in the years ahead we can enforce and expand our contract. We must fight to get decent working conditions and benefits for writers of reality TV, animation, and any other genre in which writers do not have a WGA contract.

Most important, however, is to continue to use the new collective power we have generated for our collective benefit. More than ever, now and beyond, we are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW

Michael Winship
President, WGAE

Chelsea Clinton, Pimped Out???

Chelsea Clinton speaks to supporters during a campaign stop for her mother, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Friday Feb. 8, 2008 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

The Always Wrong Right is at it again, only this time they have decided to attack Hillary Clinton's daughter.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf.

Yes, the trolls are at it again.

Realizing they have no chance of defeating either Hillary or Obama, they have fired the opening rounds in what will certainly be another disgusting, distasteful campaign on their part by attacking the only vulnerable target in sight, Chelsea Clinton. To wit:

Wolfson pointed to what he called a pattern of tasteless comments by MSNBC anchors about the Clinton campaign. Weeks ago, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews apologized to the former first lady after suggesting her political career had been made possible by her husband's philandering.

The entire article appears here.

Frankly, I'm not a Hillary supporter. I was an Edwards man. In this case it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you support Hillary or not. It doesn't matter if you think she is "Bush Lite" or the "Second Coming". What matters is that the Right Wing Slime Slingers have started up once again and this time we must nip it in the bud.

Pimped out? Pimped out? This is how the party of good Christian, Family Values plans to win support for their own lame candidates? By smearing and besmirching the reputation of their opponents daughter? Good God! What if Obama is the candidate? Can you imagine the racial slurs and innuendoes we have to look forward to?

This must stop right here, right now.

It is up to us to let MSNBC know that this type of character assassination will not be tolerated. We will no longer sit by while innocent people are swift-boated by right wing zealots with the collective morality of a slug!

Here's the clip of Shuster:


Now the clip of Matthews:



Enough people. I once did a post here that declared that the United States Marines are America's Attack Dogs, (When Good Marines Go Bad). It's time I remembered that. It's time to bite back!

Call, write or e-mail MSNBC and tell them you will not put up with sleezy character attacks like these. Don't let the Always Wrong Right swift-boat another Progressive candidate! Let's nip this in the bud!

By email: Letters To MSNBC.com

By snailmail:
NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112

By telephone: 212-315-9016

Let's get to work API! It's time to show them that we know how to play "Hardball" too!

Now, where's my bat?

d.

This is a copy of the e-mail I sent to MSNBC. Feel free to make it your own.

I am extremely disgusted with the behavior of two of your supposed "journalists", David Shuster and Chris Matthews, regarding the Hillary Clinton campaign. While I have come to expect this type of "journalism" from Fox News, I have long believed that MSNBC held itself and it's employees to higher standards. Apparently, I was wrong.

Should MSNBC continue to allow yellow journalism of this type to infect it's airwaves I will have no choice but to place it in the same category as Fox News and restrict my viewing to CNN.

Believe it or not, we who comprise your audience know the difference between real reporting and infotainment. We tune to you for "News" not entertainment. I strongly suggest that you review your standards and take whatever actions you need to insure that this type of character assassination doesn't occur on your airwaves again.

Sincerely,

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

Got this in an e-mail from my Father today. I've been so busy with the Writer's Strike I almost forgot the main reason I blog here - to expose the Republi-cons for the Corporate shills that they are and to defeat them at every turn!


I have to admit that my initial preoccupation with the strike was due to the fact that my livelihood is tied to the outcome. It has, however, become increasing clear to me that this strike is actually a microcosm of what is happening to "Labor" in every part of the United States, as the Corporations, aided and abetted by the Bush Administration, continues to wage war against Unions and the working family in general.
Oh you can have a job alright, but you'll work for what we'll pay you when we want you to work. And benefits? That's un-American! Aren't we all cut from that "Daniel Boone" cloth that rewards rugged individualism?

Well, it's time once again to take on the Always Wrong Right. So with that in mind, I give you...


Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

* Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush’s daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a “we can’t find Bin Laden” diversion.

* Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

* The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing UN resolutions against Iraq.

* A woman can’t be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

* Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

* The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans’ benefits and combat pay.

* If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won’t have sex.

* A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

* Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

* HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

* Global warming and tobacco’s link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

* A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense.

* A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

* Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

* The public has a right to know about Hillary’s cattle trades, but George Bush’s driving record is none of our business.

* Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you’re a conservative radio host. Then it’s an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.

* You support states’ rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

* What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the ’80s is irrelevant.

Thanks Dad!

d.

ps: Feel free to add to this. I'm sure there's a whole lot more we're missing here!

The Writers' Strike

A blog bud of mine, Buffalo, left me a comment asking what would happen if the studios looked for writers elsewhere.

I found this over at United Hollywood. I think it answers the question quite nicely.

Don't believe the rumors! Get it straight from the horse's mouth!

Visit United Hollywood for the Real Deal!

Enjoy!

d.



"You're Sure You're Not In The Guild?"




Thanks to Laeta Kalogridis and United Hollywood

A Giant Win, A Super Bowl!

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates with the trophy alongside New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, right, and Terry Bradshaw after the Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14 in the Super Bowl XLII football game Sunday Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris O'Mear)



Perfect Victory Spoils Perfect Season!

The New York Football Giants are the Champions of the World!

Read about it here!

It is with great joy that I congratulate the New York Football Giants on their incredible victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots!

Eli, this one's for you!



I'll even give you this, Mag's song for me! For you are now and forever more will be, The Boy From New York City!



What a game! Thanks to both teams for a dramatic, spectacular season and an awesome Superbowl!

d.

Writers Strike - It Ain't Over Til It's Over

There are a ton of rumors circulating the main stream media this morning concerning the impending resolution of the Writers Strike. No-one wants this to be true more than me, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, it ain't over til it's over.

For up-to-date information, straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak visit United Hollywood. The latest post can be viewed here.

Keep your fingers crossed!

d.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Hitler Loved The Cowboys

Enjoy!




d.

The Writer's Strike - A View From Below The Line

Let me say this ONE MORE TIME.

I am a below the line guy, a little cog in the machine that makes it all go. I am a proud member of IATSE, Local #52, New York City. Like all of us, I am extremely proud of my small contributions to our collaborative art. I also pay attention to the forces that affect my "industry".

I had a great summer. I was fortunate enough to work on "For One More Day" in Conn. My deal was a great one and I was able to put away some serious cash. I also worked on Damages and Blueblood. Prior to that I worked on "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead" and "Enchanted". I'm one of the guys that has been either fortunate enough or good enough to work almost constantly on Features and TV.

Now to the point. Our Local's officers have been warning us for over a year that this was going to happen. Every letter we received, every meeting we attended, every time one of our Officers visited a job we were told that a strike was likely. We were told to prepare for a long period of inactivity. We were warned to take all the overtime we were offered. We were encouraged to save our money. WE KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT A YEAR BEFORE IT HAPPENED!

Like everyone-else, I too, am affected by this strike. Two shows that I expected to work on are on hold. My Christmas bills are coming in and the savings I was farsighted enough to stockpile are slowly eroding. I may end up delivering pizza's or slinging burgers just to make what I have stretch. That aside, I am either smarter or luckier than a lot of folks because I took the storm warnings to heart and prepared as best I could. To those who didn't, well, whose fault is that?

Maybe because I work in the Construction end of our business I am able to understand what must happen for a strike to take place. Maybe my blue collar roots make me the Union man that I am. I've seen this before. I've been here before. I was a major factor in Organizing the City of Philadelphia for our industry. I know what it's like when Employers tell you, "Here's your deal. Take it or leave it." It's the grand "Fuck you! We own you and you will work for what we think you are worth." To that I say Horseshit!

The Writers are right here, folks. I dream of the day when all of the Entertainment Unions can bargain under an Alliance type umbrella, taking on the conglomerates as One United Front, as they are able to do to us. Until that day happens though, it is critical for all of us to support each other's efforts to better our lives through good faith negotiating, and when that fails, through the only other avenue open to us - the strike.

So Tommy Short's shortsightedness aside, this is one Union Man who will not cross a picket line. ANY picket line, ANY where. I know that my future, like all of our futures is tied to the outcome of this strike. If the conglomerates can beat the very people who provide the "blueprints" the rest of us work from, what can I expect when it is our turn to negotiate a new contract? We all know that we who work btl have watched our own deals slowly erode over the years. No more "Golden Time". Lower rates, longer hours to earn the same Pension Credit we used to earn in a much shorter period of time. Can we expect any different in the future? If they can beat the Writers their smug arrogance will surely carry over to our own negotiations in the future.

It is our future at stake here folks. Most of my Brothers and Sisters in Local 52 that I have spoken to feel the same way I do. We in New York City have traditionally set the standard for all btl Unions. It is only when Tommy Short forces an "Internationally negotiated Contract" down our throats that our rates fall, our hours grow and our benefits suck. It seems everyone except President Short realizes that you can't live in New York on Philadelphia money, and you can't live in Philadelphia on Baltimore money. So I am willing to "suck it up" for as long as it takes for the Writers to win. I am prepared. I am dedicated. I am willing to go without to see this through. I will NOT cross a legal picket line established by the very people who give me the opportunity to do what I love to do, my Brothers and Sisters in the WGA.

I am after all, a Union Man, a real Union Man, and if my future and the futures of my children and all those who come after me aren't worth fighting for, what is?

d.

Note: Below The Line refers to those who are not Producers, Directors, Actors or Writers. In short, the "crew": grips, shop craftspeople, scenic artists, hairdressers, costumers, props, set dressers, gaffers, lighting techs, electrics, etc.

Tommy Short is the President of our International Union and as far as I can see, does not support the Writers. That's fine. He is entitled to his opinion. He is not entitled to force his opinion on me. Speaking of opinions, the above represents my opinion and my opinion only and is not meant to represent the position of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, it's locals, officers, or members other than myself .

The Writer's Strike - Guest Editorial From KWW

The following is excerpted from a comment by Kitchen Window Woman of The Dishpan Chronicles addressing the Writer's Strike. It is eloquent and well written and for those reasons I asked KWW if I could use it as a post. KWW is a Vietnam-era Army Veteran and an esteemed member of The American Patriot Institute. She currently has an excellent post at The Dishpan Chronicles which examines why, what she calls the Three Blind Mice, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Diane Feinstein, no longer deserve our support. I encourage all to go and read it.

The Dishpan Chronicles



I've always supported unions. I was born supporting unions, its in my Irish blood. I also have a distaste for those who don't do the work bagging massive, unimaginable profits. I think of corporate CEO's as parasites - they latch on and suck the lifeblood out of their host targets.

Its funny in our society and in your business the focus is always on the outward display - the star, the new release, the related products in the stores - when the many creative "little people" are the fascinating ones. I love the creative process and think that all who take part in the production of "entertainment" should be paid extremely well. Why award the useless big heads at the top for merely screaming,"feed me"? They need to be divested of their unearned power over others.

We have so many talented people here in the States yet we export jobs instead paying our own people a decent wage. We don't take care of our sick and our old. Why not subsidize medical training for doctors, nurses, and technicians and socialize medical care for all Americans? Imagine all of the care that could be given and all of the jobs!

The Bush fascists are working toward a corporate ruling class where everyone else is poor, worried, hungry, and dependent on participating in perpetual wars on foreign soil. What will happen when the only jobs left are in the military?

The Writer's strike is the prescription for an illness that effects all of us. We need to keep dosing the parasites with antibiotics until they die off.

KWW

Well said, Sister. Now, let's review.

Who's On The Line