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January 20, 2008
Writers Strike - Day 77
a writer's perspective
I know this isn’t what anybody wants to hear, but…
The DGA deal is not a sign that the writers strike is close to ending.
Over the last few days, you might have heard a lot of people speculating with giddy glee that the WGA and the AMPTP have entered the endgame. You might have heard industry insiders talking about how the DGA deal is revolutionary and groundbreaking – setting historical precedents in the areas of new media, electronic sell-through, and internet jurisdiction. You might have heard people saying that writers are insane if they don’t accept the terms that the directors have agreed to.
You might have also noticed that the WGA hasn’t issued an official comment on the DGA deal other than “the terms of the deal will be carefully analyzed”. The Guild is being smart by trying to slow this down. I believe that when the WGA finally comments, what they have to say is going to be very unpopular.
It is going to be a reality check. (And it’s always controversial when the WGA gets into areas of reality.)
Not to say that the DGA deal is all bad. It brings up closer to the end of the strike in that same way that every day that passes brings us closer to the end of the strike.
The bigger news this week is really the fact that the AMPTP has agreed to resume “informal” negotiations. And I suppose, in a sense, the DGA deal had to get done before the producers would turn their attention back to us.
Given the way negotiating has gone so far, the skeptic in me is worried that this could be another ploy to break our spirits. It’s Union-Breaking 101, and for most of the strike, the producers have attempted to play on our emotions by leaking stories to Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood Daily. Unfortunately for them, earlier this week, Nikki Finke announced she was taking a break, so maybe they had to do something more drastic to screw with us. Get the writers excited that a resolution could be around the corner, then walk out of negotiations again, making us feel like the strike will never end.
When it finally gets here, I imagine the official WGA statement might read something like this:
First, we’d like to congratulate the DGA on reaching a deal. You’ve proven that when two parties express their positions, and meet so that they can find a middle-ground, a deal can be reached. What is that like by the way?
The AMPTP made you an offer out of the gate that addressed many of your concerns. It is likely that this is something that they wouldn’t have done had we not been striking for the last two and a half months… You’re welcome.
It’s important to remember that the goals of the DGA and the WGA are very different. Unfortunately, the terms of the DGA deal are still far off from what the WGA is seeking. For example, after the producers completely fuck us, we would like breakfast and some cuddling.
We are looking forward to resuming “informal” talks this week. We genuinely hope that they will lead to “formal” talks, which will lead to “official” talks, which will lead to a satisfactory resolution for all of the parties involved. But, especially a satisfactory resolution for us.
Sincerely,
The WGA
PS - We would also like to congratulate Disney Pres Robert Iger on his recent pay hike. According to Reuters, you made over $27 million this year. Bob, did you know that if the producers gave the writers everything they are asking for, it would cost your corporation about $6 million (less than half of your bonus) annually?
In case you think I’m being too negative, I will reiterate the significance of the AMPTP and the WGA resuming talks. Even “informally”, the key to the end of the strike lies in the parties involved actually talking.
In the meantime, it’s important that the writers be patient and stay strong. We are all anxious to get this over with, but that’s no reason to accept a bad deal.
As far as the DGA deal goes, a more in depth crunching of the numbers can be found here.
Had the AMPTP put these numbers – hell, any numbers – on the table for the writers a month and a half ago instead of walking out of the negotiations, the strike would be over by now.
photo by Heath Biter for LAist
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I detest the AMPTP's union-breaking tactics, and respect the WGA and its goals.
But the WGA negotiators have also been very inconsistent, and with no end in sight, things like denying the Academy Awards a waiver are frankly causing my support to waiver.
There were several really great films this year that deserve full recognition.
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WRITER SELLS HIS SOUL! Enter "Malibu Soul" in eBay in "All Categories". Enjoy!
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Bottom line: the DGA could have teamed up w/ WGA but instead spit in it's face by accpeting marginal returns on new media.
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Maybe the AMPTP would've been more open to dealing with the WGA if they would've started negotiating 6 months before their contract was over, like the DGA did, instead of waiting until the last minute and striking.
Also why do you think the AMPTP are the ones leaking to Nikki Finke? She's about as pro-WGA as it gets....I can't imagine she'd be playing into their hands. I think the WGA were the ones with the leaks, and I think the DGA got a resolution because they conducted themselves like adults instead of leaking to the press and bashing the AMPTP every chance they got.
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hc - true, the WGA didn't meet with the AMPTP six months before our contract expired. We met with them in July, only giving the producers 5 months to come to the table with ANY offer.
I don't know what leaks your referring to, but as far as Nikki Finke goes - in the days leading up to the AMPTP walking out of negotiations, Nikki reported on information that she got from "neutral" inside sources that told her that the AMPTP was going to make a really good offer to the WGA, and consequently, the strike could be over within a week.
At that point, it was the fifth or sixth example of erroneous information being leaked through DHD. The only thing any of these false stories had in common was that they manipulated the writers emotions and ultimately undermined their morale. I promise you, the WGA had nothing to do with it.
The DGA got a deal, because what was promised to them at the "informal" talks and at the official table were the same thing - a courtesy not afforded to the writers. The DGA got a deal because the AMPTP offered them fees for things they told us were "non-starters". Because we went on strike, their offer included payments for downloads, internet content, etc.
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ben bang -
I hear ya. So far, the Guild hasn't officially denied the waiver for the Academy Awards. They sort of have to act like they're going to though, don't they? Unfortunately, the Oscars are one of the few areas where the WGA has any significant, visible leverage. Hopefully, the strike will get resolved before Feb. 24th, and this will all be moot.
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I applaud you for kind of being the first person to put the DGA deal into perspective. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow at Paramount!
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Actually hc, the WGA reportedly first tried talking to the AMPTP in April, then July...it's the same story as it is now - One side showing up to talk does not a negotiation make. Both sides have to be there.
And the really sad thing is that Iger is making so much less than Eisner did.
The DGA deal is a starting point, but since the WGA and SAG are on the same page with similar residual needs...this isn't over. Strikes happen for a reason and this one, by even a cursory examination, is justified and long overdue.