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In case you haven’t seen this interview with Nick Counter…

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/10/qacounteronthestrike.php

According to KNBC news this morning, we’re threatening to go on strike to get MORE money for product shown on the internet.

Anybody see my residual check for that Yahoo rerun? Y’know, the one at the current rate.

The LA Times coverage has been digusting. It’s like Nick Counter is writing them himself.

Reading Partic’s email in Nikki Finke’s column, I’m more depressed than ever. You don’t have to read very far between the lines to see that he’s still not ready to budge, and that a strike HAS to happen as part of his strategy.

Seriously, what a lame letter. Whining that the AMPTP won’t meet at the WGA anymore, as if that’s an impediment to getting a deal (hey, why would they go someplace where they’re not given chairs to sit in?), and then touting all the times the WGA’s been willing to meet (what, a whole dozen times over how many months), even though no negotiating has taken place at those meetings? Who’s he trying to convince, and of what? Yeah, it’s gonna get worse before it gets better, that’s for sure.

Time to break out my “Nick Counter Is a Friend of Mine” (the one with the giant red circle with the slash through it) tee-shirt with those words printed underneath his face on the front and the words, “My Hero” on the back.

I’ll wear it proudly.

This is my very first post to this site. I am not a WGA member, but hope to be one soon.

As an outsider, but one completely on the side of writers, I haven’t found the media coverage to be all that bad. In fact, I’d say the overall tone is in sympathy with writers.

What I’m not sure about is why so many media outlets are only quoting from AMPTP sources and less frequently from WGA sources. And there is little meat to their summary of arguements in the articles.

Is it because they favor the AMPTP, or because the Guild is doing a crappy job and making their case to the media?

Don’t you think if the WGA said plainly that they are demanding an $.08 residual per $18 DVD people buy instead of the $.04 they get now, that the general public would think the producers are idiots for arguing that demand will bust thier profit margins? Are the writers really asking that much?

That being said, I still think it comes off in the press as David versus Goliath. And no one like Goliath.

<< It hasn’t been publicly announced that I know of, but the Los Angeles Teamsters Local 399 held a meeting on Sunday, in which they instructed their members to honor the picket lines. This may have an immediate impact on many film and television shoots. >>

This was written at the end of the last comments section. Is this true? It’d be nice to have other unions honor our picket lines should there be a strike.

Don’t worry, I understand about contracts, etc. But some SAG members want to honor the picket line, too. The more members of other unions who honor the picket lines, the faster the strike will end. This is only a dream since we already know Craig and some other WGAw writers directing films are going to continue to direct and cross picket lines (should there be a strike.) But maybe local 399 can start a trend… If this is true.

Anonymous:

That certainly caught my attention as well. I’m checking with our transpo captain to see if this is true or not.

I will say that our AD was not notified about this.

As for your believe that some WGAw writers directing won’t cross a picket line…you’re wrong.

See the DGA letter.

Every single WGAw writer who is directing will honor the picket line…which means they won’t write…but they will CROSS the picket line to do their frickin’ jobs. Every…single…one.

What are “A-H exceptions”? I’ve seen them mentioned on various websites, but I can’t find a definition, even in the forums here.

Craig,

I’m glad you’re optimistic. It’s comforting. But I have this gnawing feeling that the AMPTP feigned an attempt at peace just to look sweet. You said it yourself in the LA WEEKLY article: a strike could lead to a lesser deal. So if a strike is good for them and disastrous for us, why should the AMPTP settle now?

The cost/benefit of the ’88 strike seems to land in the AMPTP’s favor. 500 million was lost in that time period, but how much was gained by the AMPTP through the compromised DVD deal?

In my opinion, we played chicken then, and lost, and we’re playing chicken now. But the big question becomes: is the WGA willing to sacrifice itself for a future good?

And if the answer is no, if they’re going to compromise at some point down the road anyway, why not compromise now?

A link to the LA WEEKLY article for the interested: http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/wgas-biggest-enemy/17549/ Provided initially by Ted in the preceding thread.

A few items:

* The link to the Counter Q&A above didn’t work. Try this one.

* Compare w/ TVWeek’s Patric Verrone interview of last week.

From here:

….no requirement in the agreement that AMPTP members hire only WGA writers. It’s not an illegal closed shop, it’s a union shop. Those employed by signatory companies are required to either join or become Financial Core non-members within 30 days after employment. FiCore non-members are not WGA members, but they can be hired by signatory companies at any time (even during a strike). There are also the so-called A-H exceptions which are supposed to be minor writing tweaks that are not covered by the MBA and are often performed by directors, producers or actors and others (our strike rules prohibit members of the WGA who are also directors or producers from making such A-H tweaks, but those who aren’t WGA members are free to do so).

Do these exceptions cover producers rewriting scripts, actors improving lines, directors writing new dialogue in the margin, etc? If I understand correctly the above, it means WGA members who are actor/writer/directors CAN’T do those things during a strike? So a director will have to keep a line he/she hates on a film he/she is directing? An actor can’t improvise lines? Hmm.

Seeya all on the picket lines… say, Thurs morning?

AYAAW

A-H exceptions are minor writing tweaks that are not covered by the MBA. They are often performed by directors, producers or actors and others. Strike rules prohibit members of the WGA who also direct or produce from making such A-H tweaks, but those who aren’t WGA members are free to knock themselves out.

For a sense of historical perspective, the LA Times provides (in its “hollywood writers”> section) old articles going back from previous negotiation periods. Behold:

1988 story gallery

2001 story gallery

Also, Craig— why does your system (moveable type?) keep telling me “The first time you post has to be approved” — I’ve posted at least a dozen times but only recently have been getting this warning…?

AYAAW

Craig,

I think your post was missing some information. Do you have a gauge as to what Harlan Ellison is thinking of these developments? If not, Harlan Williams will be fine.

We WGAE members were told by Mona Mangan at the 10/18 meeting that Teamsters would not cross a WGA picket line. She seemed pretty confident in that statement. And my take on the DGA letter, without the Variety headline spin, was that of a guild dutifully informing its members of their legal obligations during a potential WGA strike. If the DGA did not tell members they could, in fact, be sued for not appearing at work they would be failing at their duty to educate. It certainly lacked the “feel free to join picket lines on your down time” support of SAG - who’s interests are much more aligned with the WGA’s - but I wouldn’t say it was as aggressively anti-WGA as some of the editorializing paints it. Having said that, my primary criticism of current WGA leadership is its failure to foster more solidarity with other unions long before getting to this point.

I’m just glad I’m not in Craig’s position. As a writer/director/actor/producer I wouldn’t want to have to wake up and face the choice of crossing the picket line of one of my unions or seeing my movie shut down and getting sued by the studio.

Few things.

First, if you write a comment with a bunch of links, the software may treat you like a weirdo that needs to be moderated.

That’s just the spam filter doing it’s job…most spam comments are link heavy…and I’ll have to manually approve those comments.

Second, there’s some confusion about the A-H exceptions.

The critical factor isn’t whether or not a DGA member is also a WGA member…but whether or not that DGA member has a valid WGA employment contract at the time the strike occurs.

If they do…then WGA strike rules forbid that member from providing A-H services.

If they don’t…then they are free to provide A-H services.

On the Teamster issue…I’m still checking into it, but if Mona got this one wrong, it surely wouldn’t surprise me.

Craig, does the DGA think they will get the kind of gains in internet through negotiation that we will apparently have to strike to try to get? Or are there reasons why internet is not as important to the DGA.

I love it, If you disagree with Craig, you are hate-filled. You sycophants. Josh had some good points and never ever said Craig didn’t have the right to blab his opinions, innuendo and insider gossip.

Just as any politcal campaign (which a contract negotiation is), there are effective uses of PR and not so effective, I’m not sure Craig has been totally effective in trying to achieve the goals he says he wants for writers.

And some of us find it slightly odd that his voice, having no larger authority in wga than the rest of us, is somehow spun in the media as speaking for writers. And yes, that can be undermining sometimes.

So. I’m curious, for all of you who feel the WGA is so hell bent on striking (which I don’t see when I read the emails; and if you have to read between the lines to discren something, I think that’s weak logic), how would you do things different to get the contract we need?

And so grenades aren’t thrown my way, I like Craig’s blog, and I’ve met and like Craig. And I can still have opposing views on how he throws his opinions and weight around sometimes.

I love it, If you disagree with Craig, you are hate-filled. You sycophants. Josh had some good points and never ever said Craig didn’t have the right to blab his opinions, innuendo and insider gossip.

Just as any politcal campaign (which a contract negotiation is), there are effective uses of PR and not so effective, I’m not sure Craig has been totally effective in trying to achieve the goals he says he wants for writers.

And some of us find it slightly odd that his voice, having no larger authority in wga than the rest of us, is somehow spun in the media as speaking for writers. And yes, that can be undermining sometimes.

So. I’m curious, for all of you who feel the WGA is so hell bent on striking (which I don’t see when I read the emails; and if you have to read between the lines to discren something, I think that’s weak logic), how would you do things different to get the contract we need?

And so grenades aren’t thrown my way, I like Craig’s blog, and I’ve met and like Craig. And I can still have opposing views on how he throws his opinions and weight around sometimes.

Teamster Local 399 also includes location managers — since most tv/film are shot on location these days, it would be a huge thing if location managers are told not to cross the picket line. You can’t be in pre-pro and/or production w/out a location manager — unless your film/tv show is entirely shot in a studio. And look at reality shows — they’re almost entirely dependent on locations. I’m finding this pretty doubtful.

Craig,

“The critical factor isn’t whether or not a DGA member is also a WGA member…but whether or not that DGA member has a valid WGA employment contract at the time the strike occurs.”

That’s an INTERPRETATION of the strike rules. It’s one that’s self serving of you to subscribe to (and, for the record, me, too), and one the DGA has a vested interest into buying into, but it’s an interpretation, nonetheless.

I don’t object to you or Ted promoting that interpretation, but I wish you’d clarify that that’s YOUR interpretation. Folks who may be impacted by those rules personally would be well advised to confer with a real attorney before accepting the word of a bunch of screenwriters.

My previous post was somehow deleted, so I’ll say it again.

I was informed by the Transpo Captain on the show I AD. He and the other drivers told me that there was a meeting at the Sportsman’s Lodge yesterday (Sunday) morning. At this meeting, WGA brass was present - but I don’t know if this was Patric Verrone or not.

At the meeting, the members of 399 were instructed to honor the WGA picket lines. Our drivers then came to work this morning and told us that should the matter come to a strike, we will not have 399 members crossing the lines. I was further told that if I crossed the line in compliance with the DGA contract, I was making a personal choice that the drivers felt was immoral.

A co-worker told me that he was told that Disney Corporate confirmed the 399 position yesterday afternoon, and that Disney employees have been told to be ready for the strike.

As I said before, I don’t believe that the email posted by Nikki Finke from Verrone allows any room to avoid a strike unless the AMPTP completely gives in by Wednesday. And I see no indication that such a thing will happen. I personally hope that we will see the mediator call for a cool-down period to allow the negotiations to continue and allow both sides to go past October 31.

I’m not certain why my post was deleted, but I hope it wasn’t due to offending anyone. I am not repeating rumor here. I currently work on a television series for ABC and hope to see this situation resolved amicably.

There appears to have been some sort of hiccup in the database within the last hour or two, and it ate up a number of posts made during that time both on the blog and the forum.

We’ll try to figure out what happened and, if possible, restore the zapped posts. Apologies to all those whose posts were affected.

Matt #9:

You can find the (a) - (h) explantions in the WGAw strike rules:

http://www.wga.org/contract_07/StrikeRules.pdf

Working AD:

I hope I don’t seem too ignorant, but how much work does 399 cover? Is it everything? One geographic area? Television? Film?

Josh:

It is not my interpretation, which is why I will not clarify it as such. It is the edict I received from the DGA. I suggest that DGA members consult with the DGA on this matter.

Civil Writer:

There is certainly a reason why residuals aren’t as important to the DGA. Many of their members are below-the-line employees who receive a very small percentage of the residual pie, and are thus less interested in going to the mat over the formula.

On the other hand, the DGA’s health plan is funded in part by residuals (I believe), so it’s not like it’s a non-issue for them.

Craig —

Not true. Some directors have said they will not cross the picket line. Check with Patric.

I know you don’t dig the guy, but he and the Guild have reached out to the cream of the crop of directors. At least two of those guys have said they will honor the strike. So you are mistaken here.

You can attack me personally if you like, but it doesn’t matter. You are correct about the bulk of directors crossing the picket line, but you are wrong when it comes to your blanket statement.

I know I’m wasting my time, but I hope you might reconsider and not cross the picket line.

My response to Working AD also got eaten. I was responding to “As I said before, I don’t believe that the email posted by Nikki Finke from Verrone allows any room to avoid a strike unless the AMPTP completely gives in by Wednesday. And I see no indication that such a thing will happen. I personally hope that we will see the mediator call for a cool-down period to allow the negotiations to continue and allow both sides to go past October 31.”

I agree that Verrone’s letter indicates that a strike is a foregone conclusion. Unfortunately, that letter also makes clear that, per Verrone, the federal mediator is irrelevant to the process, so the hope of a cooling-down period seems optimistic.

399 covers ALL Teamsters in the Los Angeles area. This covers all aspects of production, be it television, features, direct-to-video and whatever else you can think of. It means that, for example, delivery trucks driven by Teamsters would stop making such deliveries to the studios until the strike was finished. It also means that every production in the Los Angeles area would be working without Teamsters, meaning that you probably couldn’t do any location shooting, and stage filming would be difficult.

I don’t know the position of the national management of the Teamsters - only that the local in Los Angeles will honor the strike. If it’s only local 399, then a lot of Los Angeles production would either be curtailed or shut down.

I think Canadian shoots would continue apace, as would East Coast shoots. I also think 3rd Area shoots would continue so long as 399 Drivers are not involved.

But I hope the whole discussion is moot…

Craig, I would think that your drivers all know about this meeting already. Please post the confirmation after you speak with them so people won’t think I’m just making this stuff up…

I expect there will be more than a couple of directors who will not cross a WGA picket line. I can also imagine a scenario in which some high profile actors might not feel obliged to say lines rewritten on set by a director or producer and go home.

If the WGA can be criticized for being overconfident in its ability to impact production then I think the AMPTP and producers with films in progress may also being flashing a little hubris in thinking it will be business as usual. as the old saying goes, “no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.”

Which is why no bullets fired is the best case scenario for all concerned. Perhaps the federal mediator will provide both sides political cover for the kind of compromise they’ve each proclaimed they’d never agree to.

IMed to me by a producer friend: Heroes of the Writers Strike.

Best comment so far: “I’ve got notes.”

Just hope they cleared “TCOB”… :)

AYAAW

A clarification, that came up a lot in ‘88. A-H is not “minor writing,” it’s not writing at all. In fact, the MBA specifically says it’s not writing, and there’s a reason for that: you don’t have to be a professional writer to do A-H. If A-H were considered writing, then suddenly a lot of producers and directors and actors could apply to WGA by claiming they had “written.” They didn’t write — they just did A-H tasks. Now, in ‘88 a few writers, in their producing capacities, had an expansive definition of A-H, but in theory, if you’re doing A-H, you’re not writing.

That’s an INTERPRETATION of the strike rules. It’s one that’s self serving of you to subscribe to (and, for the record, me, too), and one the DGA has a vested interest into buying into, but it’s an interpretation, nonetheless.

No, it’s not. The Guild staffer listed in the Strike Rules as contract for members’ questions about the Strike Rules, Erika Zucker, has confirmed that what the Strike Rules say is what the Strike Rules mean: members who are not engaged as writers at the time of a strike are free to perform A-H services in their capacity as director or producer or other. The DGA’s letter is second confirmation.

• Ted

Responding to Interested:

I agree that Verrone’s email tries to portray the Mediator as irrelevant to the proceeding, but this is not necessarily the case. The usual action taken by a mediator is to call for the cooling-off period, during which there is no strike and no lockout, and the two parties can ease away from the nuclear buttons without losing face. If either side refuses to go along with the idea, then the buttons get pushed and we have a strike. Hopefully, the period will be requested, and both sides will agree to it. I agree that this is optimistic, but it’s the only bit of hope I currently see, so I’m holding onto it until it goes away.

Okay, I’m going to ask this question again:

Are people using “honor the picket line” and “honor the strike” interchangeably?

Because the first means, people will not cross a physical picket line to enter a struck Company

Whereas the second means, people will cease working for struck Companies.

In order for “honoring the picket line” to have the same effect as “honoring the strike,” the Guild will need to picket every studio, production facility and film location throughout the U.S., every day, all day, for the duration of the strike.

… hm … you don’t suppose …?

• Ted

Despite whatever optimism has been ventured, and all the speculation on when the walk out could take place, right now all showrunners are being instructed by our Guild, told in no uncertain terms that they must be prepared to stop everything they’re doing on the 1st.

We’re prepared to pull the trigger. The other side is too.

It doesn’t feel like a “cooling off” period is part of the strategy, but we’ll see.

It’s amusing to see Garth Ancier trying to claim credit for scheduling “COPS” due to the last writer’s strike in the LA Times. Barry Diller was calling the shots back then and the network was already running bargain basement programming on the scant few nights they were programming.

A WGA strike always winds up being self serving for so many feckless people.

Working AD:

We’ve got calls into our transpo captain, and I think 399 as well.

If you’re right, and 399 is telling their drivers not to cross our picket lines (which I think would be a violation of their contract, but it’s The Teamsters, and they might say “Eff it…we ain’t crossing the line”), then it’s an ENORMOUS victory for the WGA.

Enormous.

And this strike will take on a very, very different hue.

As soon as I hear, I’ll let you know.

Friday I went to visit someone directing a movie on a studio lot. He’s also a WGA and SAG member, as am I, and a producer with co-story credit on a script I’m writing and potentially directing for the same studio. Will I be walking a picket line at the studio gate on Nov. 1st, exhorting him not to go to work on a movie he’s been shooting for months with only three weeks to go? If that’s what I’m asked to do - however much I question various strategic decisions by the leadership - the answer is yes. But, God (or the higher power of my own understanding) I hope it doesn’t come to that.

I think I read somewhere (maybe even on this blog) that Teamsters have a clause in their contract that allows them the right to honor picket lines. Something to do with their personal safety.

You’re joining SAG?

Does everyone realize that if Transpo 399 refuses to cross the picket line than production is gonna shut down — including most reality shows. Pre-pro will also be greatly affected cause, as I said, location managers are part of 399. Craig’s right — this would be a huge win for the guild. But in ‘88, I doubt this happ’d — otherwise the strike wouldn’t/couldn’t have lasted as long (though less tv was shot on location then, but still)…

Ted,

I will clarify. When I say cross the picket line, I don’t mean the physical picket line. I mean honoring the strike.

But I think a physical picket line on some productions would be beneficial in terms of making it a visible moral decision. I have never crossed a physical picket line, but that’s just me.

Craig,

You could be the one leading the charge, not the 399. You could be the one saying I will honor the WGAw strike. You could be part of the “enormous” victory. At least, think about it, should there be a strike. You could also be an example to your crew and your actors. (Don’t worry, I know your argument about letting them down because you’re denying them employment. I get that. I just think total shut down means a shorter strike. Eons shorter. And believe me, some of your crew and actors will not think less of you, but will think more of you.

Craig,

�The critical factor isn�t whether or not a DGA member is also a WGA member�but whether or not that DGA member has a valid WGA employment contract at the time the strike occurs.�

That�s an INTERPRETATION of the strike rules. It�s one that�s self serving of you to subscribe to (and, for the record, me, too), and one the DGA has a vested interest into buying into, but it�s an interpretation, nonetheless.

I don�t object to you or Ted promoting that interpretation, but I wish you�d clarify that that�s YOUR interpretation. Folks who may be impacted by those rules personally would be well advised to confer with a real attorney before accepting the word of a bunch of screenwriters.

Posted by: Josh Olson at October 29, 2007 11:36 AM

////////////////

This is exactly what Patric, Young and Segall told those writers assembled at the Sportsman’s Lodge.

Members of the WGA who are not under a WGA contract, can provide non-writing services. They can fulfill their non-WGA contracts. But they are discouraged from entering into NEW contracts during a strike.

Segall is a real attorney, and I doubt Patric or Young are on Craig’s payroll.

There’s a lot of self-serving interpretation going on here, but it ain’t from Craig.

Greg,

“This is exactly what Patric, Young and Segall told those writers assembled at the Sportsman’s Lodge.”

Then I stand corrected. But as of last week, their official interpretation was different.

“There’s a lot of self-serving interpretation going on here, but it ain’t from Craig.”

As I made explicitly clear, Craig’s interpetation serves me a lot more, as well.

As soon as I hear, I�ll let you know.

Craig, someone on WA is reporting that the teamsters met yesterday and won’t cross a picket line.

Everywhere one turns, there is parsing going on. And a lot of intentional misdirection.

I believe that if Guild leadership could maximize the effects of a strike action by preventing WGA members from providing any service at all, it would do so.

But it cannot.

Leadership can, however, obfuscate and parse and otherwise confuse members into believing certain things that will serve to maximize the effects of a strike.

Since 2/3 of our members have never been thru a strike, this sort of misdirection is easy.

It’s also easy for the AMPTP or DGA to perform their own versions of hocuspocus.

I understand why members are confused. I wish they were not, and I wish leadership would take a leading role in clearing up the many misunderstandings.

But leadership will not, because to do so would only work to lessen whatever shock and awe a WGA strike can bring to bear.

IMHO.

Working AD:

I agree that Verrone’s email tries to portray the Mediator as irrelevant to the proceeding, but this is not necessarily the case.

Beyond what you mentioned, its definitely not the case. The AMPTP’s request to bring in a federal mediator, and the Guild’s ageement to do so, means both sides are continuing to fulfill their legal obligation to bargain in good faith (regardless of what either is saying about the other publicly — good faith bargaining does not require either side to make concessions, let alone to reach agreement).

• Ted

I just found out that Local 399 also counts casting directors as their members. Although, no casting director has told me that they have been given instructions from anyone to go out with the writers.

Anonymous:

You could be the one leading the charge, not the 399. You could be the one saying I will honor the WGAw strike.

Craig has a contract with the WGAw, in the form of the constitution to which he’s agreed be subject, and which gives the Board the authority to discipline him, including sue him if he’s found in breach of that contract.

Craig has a contract with a Company, in the form of a contract, that gives the Company the authority to discipline him, including sue him, if he’s found in breach of that contract.

These contracts are not in conflict with each other. Both can be honored without being in breach of the other.

You are arguing that he should be willing to breach a contract he entered into voluntarily.

Do you think that should apply to any contract he enters into voluntarily?

• Ted

Craig:

If you’re right, and 399 is telling their drivers not to cross our picket lines (which I think would be a violation of their contract, but it’s The Teamsters, and they might say “Eff it … we ain’t crossing the line”),

If I understand my source correctly:

Local 399 can’t actually tell their members not to cross Guild picket lines. What the union can do is vote for Local Council 42 to sanction Guild picket lines.

The Teamsters’ contracts prohibit employers from disciplining individual members who refuse to cross properly-sanctioned picket lines.

So its an indivudal action that is enabled and permitted by the union, rather than a union action required of members.

If I understand my source correctly.

• Ted

I’m not a WGA member but I have scripts out right now and am anxiously waiting to see if this strike is going to be yet another setback — when I’m closer than ever to finally breaking through. I love this blog and appreciate the updates and finding out more about how the guild works; Craig, I think you seem like a fair, honest and logical guy. So thank you, there are people out here who appreciate what you’re doing.

Ted:

That’s exactly what I’m hearing. I’m also hearing that The Teamsters will not go out en masse with the writers.

However, they will apparently consider some wildcat actions on particular days.

Unlike DGA members, the Teamsters do have more maneuverability on this (someone above…I think Working AD…mentioned how), so while it’s nice that Anonymous So-and-So still believes the crack pipe dream that WGA members who direct won’t be showing up to work, it’s apparent that The Teamsters may be able to legally enhance the WGA strike, although not actually go on strike themselves or honor all picket lines on any given day.

Still, if this is true, it gives the WGA’s strike threat an enormous boost…so should it happen, I’ll be ready and willing to publish high praise for WGA leadership.

This is from the Teamsters Local 399 site today:

WRITERS STRIKE

399’s position regarding a possible strike by the Writers Guild of America is that during the term of the Black Book Agreement, pursuant to Article 8(B), unless the producer fails to comply with an Arbitration Award, not to strike against, picket against, or boycott the Producer for any reason whatsoever, and use its best efforts to get the employees to perform such obligations. Done! As for me as an individual, I will not cross any picket line whether it is sanctioned or not because I firmly believe that Teamsters do not cross picket lines. Now, if the strike is sanctioned by Joint Council 42, the Producers have agreed that they will not discipline any employee who refuses to cross. Federal law protects you if you choose otherwise. Remember, I believe that Teamsters do not cross picket lines!

Fraternally, Leo T Reed

Secretary-treasurer

Gotta love the teamsters!

i think it’s amazing to even have that much solidarity from the teamsters and SAG (which I credit curent wga leadership with helping facilitate; esp uniting wgaw and wgae).

I hope we remember that for them in the future. it makes us all stronger. Even if the dga does their own thing.

Still hoping there’s no strike…

Ted,

Parse and argue all you want. The anonymous poster is saying that sometimes principles trumps legalities. There are many examples of people doing what’s right rather than what’s legal. And you know them too (civil rights, etc.)

Craig,

I don’t think it’s a crack pipe dream to believe some directors and some actors will honor the strike. Just because you won’t honor the strike doesn’t make you morally superior.

And I would love to see you praise Patric et al., for working with other unions and high profile directors and actors to honor the picket line.

Let’s see what happens, but be open to the idea that some of your directing colleagues don’t agree with crossing the picket line.

Gotta give Patric and company credit — especially since they’ve been getting bashed left and right from folks like me.

Still hoping there’s no strike as well.

Thought this pro-WGA letter to the editor was interesting: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974743.html?categoryid=1349&cs=1. It calls the AMPTP to the carpet for its shenanegans.

The Mediator situation sounds promising as it sounds like it allows everyone to save face while continuing to move towards what I hope will be a realistic discussion.

“If I understand my source correctly:

Local 399 can’t actually tell their members not to cross Guild picket lines. What the union can do is vote for Local Council 42 to sanction Guild picket lines.

The Teamsters’ contracts prohibit employers from disciplining individual members who refuse to cross properly-sanctioned picket lines.

So its an indivudal action that is enabled and permitted by the union, rather than a union action required of members.

If I understand my source correctly.”

Ted, that is indeed, the long and the short of it. It’s up to the individual as to whether they will cross the line. Once the picket has been sactioned, that individual can not be disciplined for honoring the picket line.

BUT- and this is a big but… as many found out on the top model strike- supervisors at many IBT shops are not covered by the IBT contract, and will (have to) cross the line to conduct business.

May not apply to #399, which covers the drivers for production, but is true for UPS and most other union trucking companies.

Anonymous of Post #54:

Parse and argue all you want. The anonymous poster is saying that sometimes principles trumps legalities.

My principles include honoring the commitments I make, including legal commitments. I know Craig well enough to know his do, too. So the issue is not nearly as simplistic and black-and-white as you perceive it to be.

• Ted

It’s in variety, so it must be true (an it seems that it actually is…)

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974949.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1

Congrates, you finally have some solid leverage.

Now, if only the WGA leadership and Tom Short could see eye to eye…

so is there any historical precedent to gauge how many Teamsters will choose to honor the picket line in the event of a strike?

Ted,

I never said or implied that it’s simplistic. But it is a matter of conscience.

Some big time showrunners are also going to honor the strike. I believe those showrunners are still people who honor their commitments. You can look at them (and the directors and actors who honor the strike) as people who don’t honor their commitments, but I, for one, don’t see them that way. I see them as principled. What good is a strike if you’re crossing your own picket line (this goes for WGAw members working in other capacities.)

But Ted, I’m not saying you have to see things the same way I do. We can agree to disagree on this. I love reading what the strike rules might or might not allow, but, in the end, at least for me, it’s a matter of conscience.

Oooh… the teamsters… that’s an interesting turn. I like the sound of wildcat action… a new weapon… exciting.

I found Reed’s comments very interesting, particularly after the discussion I had with our drivers this morning at 515 AM.

They kept saying that if I showed up to work during the strike, it was my individual choice to do so. When I told them I felt I was being forced to cross the line and that I didn’t have a choice given the “no strike” clause in the DGA contract, I was basically scoffed at. One of them went as far as to say to me that if I ever crossed a Teamster picket line I would be risking my life.

Now, I am a moral person, and I believe in doing the right thing. I don’t cross picket lines as a rule. For this reason, I haven’t been inside a Vons, Safeway, Albertson’s or Ralph’s since before the 2003 strike. But in this case, I have received a letter and a warning from my field rep telling me in no uncertain terms that if I don’t report to work I will be subject to termination and discipline for violating the contract.

So it would seem I have a choice here. I can follow the instructions of the DGA and my employer and show up for work, and in the process break a very serious moral code. Or I can follow my moral principles and refuse to work during the strike, and likely wind up losing my job, my reputation and part of my career. (It is not looked on well to be someone who does not honor their obligations to a job.)

So I truly hope that the Mediator gets a cooling off period, before tempers here take the situation to a place that none of us want to go.

Great post Working AD!

I don’t know what to tell you to do, but I can see why the Teamster scoffed at you when you talked about the “no strike” clause. He sees it as you’re just trying to save your job. And I can’t blame you.

On the hand, I want you and all the other unions to support the strike. If the entire town shut down, the strike would be very, very short.

I wish I saw the same kind of real moral introspection from Craig that you’re revealing rather than his “yeah, I got to this job because of my contract” stuff. Have that scoffing teamster talk to Craig!

Anyway, good luck with your decision and I hope there is no strike, but if I end up on the picket line, it’s good to know that some of the ADs are seriously thinking of standing with us.

AYAAW 30,

Although well meaning (and it’s actually getting press, which is great), it makes me long for Alex Perez.

Dear Working AD,

As a WGA member I want to thank you for even thinking about the moral dilemma of crossing a Writers’ picket line. (As an aside, I wouldn’t cross a Teamsters picket line not only because I think that would be immoral but because I like my face in one piece…)

While I would love for you to refuse to cross our lines I know your contract with the production company trumps your labor sentiments. It’s an unfair curtailment of free speech but that’s the way it is. And it’s the main reason the WGA is fighting to gain the power to honor any and all picket lines. I suggest you bring that up at the next DGA meeting; I’m not one who believes that the DGA is a rubber stamp for the AMPTP.

But if we do go on strike a little work slow-down would be appreciated and can’t easily be proved… ;^)

All my best,

Clifford J. Green

“But if we do go on strike a little work slow-down would be appreciated and can’t easily be proved… ;^)”

Thats what I’ve been saying!

Tom Short is quick to remind us that we have a no strike clause, in order to dissuade us from honoring your pickets… but what would it have cost the WGA (or, better yet, it’s members) to have reached out to the memberships of the hollywood LOCALS to engender some grassroot support? To have humanized it, as it were.

Oppurtunity missed, I’m afraid, but not for lack of trying.

As I’m sure most of you know, check your mail. New details on the where/when for the General Membership Meeting… I guess a “hard copy notice” is coming in snail mail too.

AYAAW

Some big time showrunners are also going to honor the strike. I believe those showrunners are still people who honor their commitments.

Showrunner conracts are often inclusive of writing services, subject to the MBA term “Writers Also Employed in Additional Capacities (Television).” That’s a different circumstance than a Guild member who is employed only in the capacity of “director” or “producer” or other.

You can look at them (and the directors and actors who honor the strike) as people who don’t honor their commitments, but I, for one, don’t see them that way.

When you say that there are showrunners, directors and actors that will “honor the strike,” do you mean that, on the day the Guld calls a strike, they will walk off their non-writing jobs with struck Companies and not return until the strike is ended (provided their jobs are still there)?

Or, do you mean they will not perform A-H services required by their non-writing jobs?

Or, do you mean, they will not cross a physical picket line for the duration of a picket, but otherwise continue to perform their non-writing jobs as required by their contracts?

• Ted

I hope the strike lasts for a year. Too many people are overpaid. It’ll be good to clear the deck.

Below The Line,

I agree that outreach would have been a good idea and not just to other unions. I disagree, however, that it’s too late.

Susan

Susan…

Well Have at it!

Perhaps we should chat.

The Guild’s failure to find common ground with IA and, instead, engaging them in losing jurisdictional battles is, perhaps, the most troubling thing to me about current leadership.

Working AD:

I think you have to honor your contract.

And I think that there’s no circumstance in which you would have to cross a Teamster picket line.

How the hell can you do your job without transpo? Nothing to shoot.

The Brothers I spoke with on my show hadn’t heard any of this, btw, which is interesting. They actually heard it from me at the end of the day. I wonder. Do you work in TV right now, or features?

I suspect the Guild is going to target TV production more than film.

DLW:

It’s definitely one of their dumber moves, and they’ve had a few.

Craig:

On this we agree.