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writers strike
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writers strike
labor disputes
Writers Strike Still Not Actually Over
The Writers Guild of America strike that has crippled our nation's entertainment industry these last few months will end today, once striking writers vote to approve the deal hammered out last weekend by their management and the producers' guild. Wouldn't it be funny if they rejected it, though? We're finally getting to the zero hour where the strike might affect films in production, not just crappy TV shows! This is their chance to wipe Hollywood off the face of the Earth! But they probably won't, because they all miss getting paid. In today's Times, David Carr asks, "who won"? Short answer: the writers! Truthful answer? Enjoy receiving internet residuals three years after the pilot you were unable to shop didn't get picked up, guys! (Of course, the strike cannot officially end until Bruce Vilanch sings.) [NYT] NB: Copy-editors strike continues!
show business kids
Writers Strike End Talking Points: Everyone Lost
The writers strike is all but over after three long months, and following today's voting, writers are expected to get back to work by Wednesday. The strike cost Guild members about $270 million, and there will be a bloody and bitter renegotiation in three years. In the meantime, writers receive a flat fee for work that appears on the internets, and after three years "that fee becomes 2% of some of revenue the studios receive." And studios are very good at pretending they don't make any money on the internets. On the plus side, now the actors probably won't strike. And that would've actually shut down Hollywood. More »
evil corporations in action
WGA Strike At Viacom: "The MTV Freelancers, What?"
We sacrificed vidkid Alex Goldberg to possible pneumonia and sent him to check out the joint WGA-Viacom protest outside Viacom this afternoon. There was some confusion among WGAers about what exactly they were doing in midtown, other than, you know, trying for the 39th day in a row to get paid or something. "The MTV freelancers, what?" said one guy, dismissing us swiftly by explaining that "It's the Viacom building so it's very high-profile." You don't say! Any thoughts on the never-ending writers strike, the length of which is inching us closer and closer with each passing day to watching The World's Most Smartest Model? "I thought they resolved that a couple weeks ago," someone walking out of the Viacom building told us. "I don't really go to Broadway shows," he apologized. Uh....
evil corporations in action
Fountain Pens To The Ready! WGA Teams Up Today With MTV Freelancers
"Viacom will double its revenue from digital this year," reads this flier from the Writers Guild of America, members of which will demonstrate alongside Viacom "freelancers" this afternoon at 1pm. Where do they come by this information? From remarks made this year by Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone. Ha! That'll teach you to talk up your company's cash flow just before yanking benefits in a move towards "efficiency"!
The Writers Guild of America East is marching on Viacom Thursday morning! "Students and future members of the Writers Guild will join us to march with us, learn about the issues of our strike and show their support," reads a description of the event on their website. Hey, the longer the picket line, the shorter the strike—but will there be stickers and t-shirts? Let us know!
The Para Transit Drivers and Mechanics of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061, who drive those Access-a-Ride buses for disabled and elderly residents, are on strike. And if you really want to be a dick you could claim that's why you were late for work today. [NYDN]
knowing your place
