WGA:
To my fellow members
Organization of the writers who work without a contract for the WGA is one of the main ways that strengthen the union and protect the standards we have all fought so long and hard to achieveIt’s been a while since I’ve informed you about the progress of efforts to organize the Writers Guild and the many successes we have had in the last two years.
Our first priority in the organization is always to defend our central jurisdiction, and cable network dramas, sitcoms (including network primetime animated comedy), longform television, talk shows, variety shows, quizzes, and with live action. Our second priority is the expansion of our jurisdiction to areas currently without coverage or if you have signed the undertakings have not been operating, including reality television, primetime and not entertainment, and non-fictionBeginning with our current contract, our jurisdiction now includes the original content from new media.
With these priorities in mind, here is a summary of recent efforts
One of the programs at once, we have organized coverage WGAWorking closely with the writers on the main shows like Comedy Central, took out a strategy of escalation of actions, culminating in a short strike. Cable cable TV, we have focused on Comedy Central, as it employs a large number of writers.
The Sarah Silverman Program Mind of Mencia The Showbiz Show with David Spade American Body Shop root of all evil Chocolate News Reno 911! Michael and Michael have trouble secret boyfriend Comedy Central roast of Larry the Cable Guy The Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget Jeff Dunham Project Title Tosh.0 Eddie Portnoy, Producer ghosts Boy / Alien
We hope to reach a broader global agreement and are currently engaged in efforts to cover the whole range of comedy and dramatic shows produced by Comedy CentralWe continue to build a positive relationship with the network and has recently signed a comprehensive agreement covering all future Comedy Central roasts.
In other parts of cable that have been organized and made offers for dramatic shows, competitions and audience participation shows, no drama, documentary and entertainment. Thanks to his efforts that now coverIn all these cases, the role of writers in providing information and assistance, and their willingness to reject a job if required were the keys to success.
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Also recently negotiated an agreement to cover the syndicated version of the showLast year we signed an agreement WGA for this successful primetime game. TELEVISION NETWORK’re smarter than a fifth grader?
To resolve the dispute, the company that provides each of the writers of six figures “blind pilot deals covered by the standard terms and WGA WGA for his work on the series, although the show (now canceled) nominally was maintained under an IATSE contractSit Down, Shut Up helps writers of this prime time animated series from Sony in a cessation of efforts to ensure the protection of WGA.
One of the key ways members can protect the profits of Guild is refusing to work for companies that have not signed. The Osbournes: Loud and Dangerous Despite the overwhelming coverage of the labor force in writing the network’s primetime, writers have had to fight even for contracts of WGA on occasion. MBAs n” This rule is intended to ensure that entertainment so companies can only access the Guild talent is through an agreement GuildWorking Article 8 states: “member shall accept employment with, nor option or sell literary material, any person, firm or corporation not a signatory of the application.
We relied on Article 8 Working on the show The Osbournes after the production company, FremantleMedia, refused to negotiate a fair settlement. We believe that this show is a direct result of the company not being able to use Writer GuildGuild members heeded the call and refused to write for this guild, no shows, which would have been non-variety show WGA comedy for the first time on television in primetime. The remaining episodes thus can not be transmitted. To date, only one episode aired, to very bad reviews and bad ratings.
web programming produced by these companies includeNEW MEDIA The union organized and made agreements with 26 companies that have become signatories to the MBA of WGA for the express purpose of producing new content for the media.
Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog Motherhood got killed in 1000 Wainy Days Days Refund Topps Web TheraP
We also signed contracts for Internet content of new media production companies and Science Fiction + Machinima.com
GAMES We have signed 44 agreements to provide interactive WGA members with health and retirement benefits for their work on video games. Our latest offers for Battle CMT and Project 9
MOVIES In the past 18 months we have made offers to cover various profile feature tall, including Into the Wild and the frozen river. Since early last year, we made offers to cover 15 low-budget films
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FOREIGN projects produced in the field of foreign projects produced employing members of WGA, we have agreements WGA for Noah’s Ark (an animated film), 99 and Bommie & Friends (animated series TV), Poirot (a-live-action series)
TV REALITY TV In reality, they have pressured the networks and production companies through strikes in the United States Next Top Model and FremantleMedia game show Temptation. In both cases, the writers left their jobs to protest the companies’ refusal to negotiate coverage WGA
We have pushed the industry of all reality through public exposure of serious labor law violations of business reality TV production. We conducted a focused exhibition of the most important production company, FremantleMedia, producers of American Idol, the “American Idol Truth Tour.
Last month, a group of workers filed a collective U.S. $ independent FremantleMedia multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the company for its violations of California wage and hour laws. While knowledge of the abuse of workers in the reality television Increasing numbers of workers willing to take action. Two lawsuits filed by writers from Rocket Science Next entertainment and entertainment are in liquidation of $ 4.5 billion
ORGANISING THE FUTURE The defense and enlargement of our jurisdiction have no place in a vacuum. The benefits obtained as a result of our 100-day strike has helped change the environment in which we conduct our organizing efforts, and as reflected in this report, we are making steady progress to get companies to agree to cover benefits Windows Genuine their projects
I would like to personally thank all committed and courageous writers worker who helped in this effort. The Department of Organization and Competition has primary responsibility for staff outside organization, but each department of the Association has participated and deserves credit for the success of organization. Because we are all stronger and betterNone of this, however, would have been possible without the support and sacrifices from you, our members.
I know that the guild can have their support and assistance in this critical effortThe organization’s fight is far from over and there is much important work to be done.
Best, Patric Verrone President, WGA