Writers Vote To End Strike; New Contract Still Must Be Ratified
By David Kaplan - Tue 12 Feb 2008 08:40 PM PST
It ended right at the 100-day mark: 92.5 percent of the 3,775 members of the Writers Guild of America who cast their ballots today voted to end their work stoppage. However, as the NYT pointed out, members must still vote to accept the new contract hammered out between producers and union officials this past weekend. While nothing is certain, the overwhelming number of WGA members who agreed to end the strike suggests that ratification of the new contract may just be a formality at this point.
So far the early heroes are News Corp (NYSE: NWS). COO Peter Chernin and Disney (NYSE: DIS) CEO Bob Iger, who helped open the doors to further talks with WGA officials and paved the way for the deal, which involves giving writers an increase in the payment for digital distribution of entertainment beyond the terms of a recent deal between Hollywood producers and the Directors Guild of America. As for any lessons from the strike, CBS (NYSE: CBS) CEO Leslie Moonves, also involved in breaking the impasse, said producers might want to convene more often with the unions: “We shouldn’t meet every three years.”
WGA officials also sent members e-mails explaining their obligation to return to jobs, and THR reports on it here. “If you were employed when the strike began, you should plan to report to work on Wednesday...If you’re not employed at an office or other work site, call or e-mail your employer that you are resuming work. If you have been told not to report to work or resume your services, we recommend that you still notify your employer in writing of your availability to do so.”
A short view of the WGA press conference today, courtesy THR, embedded below:
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