The three-month old WGA writers' strike appears to be on the fast track to a resolution. Last Saturday, thousands of WGA members got their first look at a proposed contract hammered out by union negotiators and the major studios. The strike is not over yet, but it could be in a matter of days.
On Friday night, Feb. 8, there was a cliffhanger of sorts as studio and WGA representatives reportedly haggled over final points in a tentative agreement. Finally Saturday morning, the WGA negotiators were satisfied with the draft of the deal and sent it out to striking writers to peruse. Hours later two meetings, one on the East Coast and the other out here in the West, were held so the membership could study and examine the proposed pact.
The response from the rank and file was positive enough for the WGA leaders to go forward on Sunday with an endorsement of the deal and the launch of a 48-hour membership vote on whether to end the strike immediately. That vote is set for Tuesday, Feb.12. A separate vote on the tentative contract would follow in the next few weeks.
The writers went on strike Nov. 5, 2007 mainly over fair compensation for their work in new media. Apparently they got it.
"It is an agreement that protects a future in which the Internet becomes the primary means of both content creation and delivery." That's what the guild presidents,
Patric M. Verrone and
Michael Winship said in a letter to the membership. The letter was posted on the pro-WGA blog United Hollywood on Saturday.
A lot of folks have been sending up prayers and good thoughts for a writers' deal.
"Hopefully it is going to be finished in a couple of weeks," that was the wish
Christine Johnson shared with me last week. Her Burbank garage was the location of my polling place on Super Tuesday. After voting, I chatted with Christine, a poll worker, voice-over artist, and screenwriter. She is not a WGA member, but is hoping to join the guild soon. Christine co-wrote a movie thriller "Burning Bright," which is scheduled to begin shooting in April.
Despite the WGA's tentative contract, the worry is not over for Christine. Her husband,
Johnny, the election inspector at my polling place, works in the entertainment industry below-the-line and also, he is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Now that the writers have a deal, it is the actors' turn to step up to the negotiating table with the studios. SAG's contract expires on June 30, 2008.
Still, there is good reason for the Johnsons and everyone else to do a little celebration dance. The strike could be over this week. If that happens, then we can all seriously cut-up and boogie down.
Check back for more WGA strike-related developments.