The possibility of a strike by Hollywood film and TV writers
became more of a probability Friday after Writer's Guild members
authorized the union to call a strike if no contract agreement is
made with studios by the end of October.
More than 90 percent of the members taking part in the
authorization vote backed the union's request for advance approval
to declare a walkout if negotiators fail to reach a settlement once
the current contract expires.
The more than 5,500 ballots cast marks the largest voter turnout
ever for the guild, surpassing the 4,100 cast in its 2001 contract
ratification, the union said.
"Writers do not want to strike, but they are resolute and
prepared to take strong, united action to defend our interests,"
said Patric M. Verrone, president of the union's western guild.
"What we must have is a contract that gives us the ability to keep
up with the financial success of this ever-expanding global
industry."
The WGA and studios remain sharply divided over union demands
for higher "residual" fees, a key source of writers' income for TV
and film work that gets reused in such formats as reruns and DVDs
after initial broadcast or theatrical release.
The existing three-year contract covering the guild's 12,000
members expires Oct. 31. WGA members could continue working under
the terms of the old pact beyond that date if both sides mutually
agree to keep negotiating.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which
represents the studios, issued a brief statement saying the outcome
was no surprise, adding "Our focus is on negotiating a reasonable
agreement with the WGA."
The authorization does not set a deadline for a walkout to
begin. It merely empowers the guild's governing board, in
consultation with the WGA's negotiating committee, to call a strike
if they deem it necessary, after the contract lapses.
(Agencies via Xinhua October 23, 2007)