Writers' Strike Appears All But Settled

As a result of behind-the-scenes negotiations that have been in progress since January 22, the writers and companies have by most accounts (the current press blackout prevents any official confirmation) reached an agreement in principle on the terms of a strike settlement that could take place within the week. The WGA's Patric Verrone and Michael Winship did break the silence to circulate a message to their constituency:

To Our Fellow Members,

While fully mindful of the continuing media blackout, we write you to address the rumors and reports that undoubtedly you have been hearing.

The facts: we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract. When and if a tentative agreement is reached, the first thing we will do is alert our membership with an e-mail message. Until then, please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms.

Until we have reached an agreement with the AMPTP, it is essential that we continue to show our resolve, solidarity, and strength.

Picketing will resume on Monday. Our leverage at the bargaining table is directly affected by your commitment to our cause. Please continue to show your support on the line. We are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW

Michael Winship
President, WGAE

For the deal to close, the governing boards of east and west coast branches of the guild would have to endorse the terms, and the guild membership ratify it.

The strike which began November 5th has cost, by estimates of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., over $650 million in lost wages; the group further estimated a cost of $1 billion to the local economy. An unquantifiable additional goad to progress in the talks was the threat to the Oscars telecast (which ABC has optimistically been promoting of late as if the traditional ceremony and broadcast were fully on.)

The AMPTP's recent settlement with the Directors Guild appeared to advance the talks with the WGA.even as the Screen Actors Guild reserved the right to establish their own terms with the companies, on their own schedule. Meanwhile, SAG's uneasy relations with their kindred union AFTRA were not improved by that body's declaration that they, too, would go their own way in negotiations regarding prime-time television.) progress made Friday, reportedly thanks to sessions held with News Corp president Peter Chernin and Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger with the guild's negotiating committee head John Bowman and WGA west director David Young were apparently augmented by Saturday talks, and by day's end the United Hollywood writers' blog had declared that "creative solutions to the biggest differences between the AMPTP and the WGA have gotten the tentative and cautious approval of both sides."

Further talks were scheduled for Monday.