WGA Strike: WGA Leadership Stomps Rumors, Calls for Solidarity
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on February 4, 2008
This weekend was marked by all kinds of rumors surrounding the Writer’s Guild of America’s strike. In fact, just as the New York Giants dethroned the undefeated New England Patriots, the media has been reporting that the David v. Goliath effort of the WGA has finally paid off, and that we may see an end to the strike very soon.
But don’t get your hopes up just yet, kids. If you read closely, even reports from Variety are leaving room for these rumors to be nothing more than hope-filled media speculation. In fact, while we are seeing progress in the informal talks that have been going on between studio heads and WGA elite over the past week, there is no definitive word that an agreement has been reached. The following email was sent from WGA West President Patric Verrone and WGA East President Michael Winship to guild members over the weekend:
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
As you can see, leadership is calling for more solidarity and commitment from guild members. Screenwriter John August has said on his blog over the weekend that Monday could be the most important day of picketing yet:
It appears, at least for now that the strike is not quite over. But for those “glass half full” folks like myself, at least we are hearing of progress. This seems like a new concept after constant reports of breakdowns in negotiations, continued differences of opinion and periods of depressing stagnancy. Whether or not the strike will end this week is in the hands of those at the negotiating table, not those in the media. So until those guys say otherwise, it’s back to the picket lines.
| 
| Read more articles by Neil Miller
