Writers' Guild Leadership Backs Contract Deal
Sunday, February 10, 2008
New York, NY –
Writers for New York-based television shows could be back to work by Wednesday. Leaders of the Writers Guild of America decided today to recommend a proposed three-year contract to union members and ask them to approve a quick end to the walkout, which has dragged on for more than three months.
REPORTER: Membership meetings will be held Tuesday in New York and Los Angeles. The agreement sets flat fees and residuals for material streamed or downloaded on the Internet, a central demand of the union. By year 3 of the contract, writers would earn 2 percent of the revenues earned from TV clips played online. According to Colbert Report writer Peter Guinn, that's a big improvement over existing terms, which don't provide any such earnings.
GWINN: We're talking about stuff on the Internet, that's a lot easier to track. By the time the next contract rolls around, we'll have a much better understanding of people's viewing habits. So maybe that number's unfair but we'll know better in 3 years when the next contract comes up.
REPORTER: By asking writers to vote separately on ending the strike and accepting the contract, the union cleared the way for writers to return to work almost immediately. The ratification vote will be conducted by mail over about two weeks. Member approval appears likely. At heavily attended membership meetings Saturday in New York and L.A., there was resounding support for the proposed deal.
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