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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
Tentative Deal Struck: Writers to Vote, Could Start Work by Wednesday
Following a tentative deal between the Writers' Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, both the East and West wings of the Guild held meetings Saturday to discuss the terms with members.
On Saturday evening, West Coast guild members and leadership congregated at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, where attendees cheered and even gave a standing ovation for leadership, according to one account on DeadlineHollywood.
In a surprise to many at the meeting, however, WGA West prez Patric Verrone announced that writers would not return to work Monday, pending a 48-hour voting period during which members will decide whether or not to lift the strike order. During this period, both WGA boards will meet Sunday to discuss and possibly endorse the pact.
So far there's no confirmation as to what day writers will return to work, although most likely it will be Tuesday or Wednesday. The general mood of the L.A. meeting might overshadow any timing logistics, however: One source said, "There is no question in my mind that because of the atmosphere in that room this strike will be called off. It's over." Guild members will be able to officially vote on the deal 10 days after they return to work, during which time the deal will be ratified (depending on the outcome of their confabs during this 48-hour stretch).
Earlier Saturday, the WGA East similarly met for two and a half hours, and, although no vote has taken place, some members said they're "jubilant" — but still asking questions.
Thus far, both leadership and members seem nominally satisfied with the terms of the pact. Prior to Saturday's meeting, WGA East prez Michael Winship called the deal "a good one," and subsequent reports said he and other leaders spent the afternoon selling membership on it.
Some concern over the terms of the deal may linger. An account on DeadlineHollywood quoted a strike captain's e-mail to members, in which they cited frustration over the omission of a Favored Nations clause, which would have essentially piggybacked improvements that SAG members may reap in their own new contracts later this spring. Another account, however, contradicts that, and instead asserts that members are generally embracing Winship's well-known reminder that the Guild should not let "perfect be the enemy of good."
One longtime WGA member, a working writer-producer, tells TVGuide.com, "In the short-term, [the writers] didn't get as much as they should have, but in the long-term it opens up the door for significant gains."
How the writers eventually vote in this historic moment remains to be seen — but in Los Angeles, a standing ovation speaks louder than words. — Anna Dimond
Related:
• A Tentative Deal is Reached, WGA East Prez Give Thumbs-up, But Will Members Agree?
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Feb 9, 2008 7:07 PM
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I really, really hope this Favored Nations clause doesn't screw everything up 
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Feb 9, 2008 7:23 PM
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I thought Winship said "we shouldn't let 'perfect' be the enemy of 'good'."
meaning the deal was good, not perfect, but good for the WGA, and should be accepted
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Feb 9, 2008 11:42 PM
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Thanks for the clarification; paraphrasing is always the enemy of perfect! --AD
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Feb 10, 2008 12:03 AM
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I guess one or two days won't make that big of a difference in the long run. Since the writers can unofficially be outlining ideas outside of work now that are confident they are going back. I really hope LOST will be able to film up to six episodes (the amount they have been projecting.)
I wonder if they will do five episode with the fifth being a two hour finale? People tend to forget that those season finales take twice the time to write and shoot.
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Feb 10, 2008 8:08 AM
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I had heard that there was some "unofficial brainstorming" (writing) going on between the picket line shifts so I would bet things can start moving quickly once everything is signed with the I's dotted and the T's crossed.
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Feb 10, 2008 8:39 AM
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This is killing me that we have to wait an extra day. They should of voted yesturday when they had a chance. Or even have a voting meeting today after they thought over the tentative deal. This is making me to be sticking to the computers for updates. It is better then never. I was wondering how long does an average one hour show to write and thirty minute show to write?
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Feb 10, 2008 9:16 AM
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So very happy the writers are happy.
P.S. Thank you, WGA members, for awarding Season 4 of 'The Wire' best TV drama!
--Arlene Herring
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Feb 10, 2008 12:06 PM
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"They should of voted yesturday when they had a chance. Or even have a voting meeting today after they thought over the tentative deal."
They didn't get the deal details (signed off on by the studio heads) until 3AM saturday morning.
People need to read the deal before they can vote on the deal. They've given writers a 48 hour window to get the info and vote - members need to be informed of what's going on and have enough time to be able to participate.
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Feb 11, 2008 9:19 AM
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