Writer's Guild Strike Officially Over!

By Jack February 13, 2008 10:37 AM

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TV networks can stop trying to come up with content that doesn't require writing today, as an  agreement was finally reached with the Writers Guild of America yesterday, officially ending the 100-day strike. I'm sure everyone is ready to get back to work.

More in the official press release:

LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK -- The membership of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) today voted overwhelmingly in favor of lifting the restraining order and ending their 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5. 3,775 writers turned out in Los Angeles and New York to cast ballots or fax in proxies, with 92.5% voting in favor of ending the work stoppage.

?The strike is over. Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work,? said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West. ?This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet. Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed.?

?The success of this strike is a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future,? said Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East. ?The commitment and solidarity of our members made it happen and have been an inspiration not only to us but the entire organized labor movement. We will build on that energy and unity to make our two unions stronger than ever.?

WGAW and WGAE members will next vote to ratify the tentative three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The membership ratification vote will be conducted by mail and also at membership meetings on February 25, 2008.

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