Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Hollywood Writer's WGA Strike Finally Over?


Hollywood writers may end the three-month-old strike this week after their union approved a tentative labor contract with film and television studios.
Writers Guild of America boards on both coasts asked members to ratify the agreement during the next 10 to 12 days, union leaders said. A separate vote on whether to end the strike is taking place in the next two day, meaning writers may return to work by February 13.
In a nutshell, it has been reported that the writers will get a 3/3.5% increase per year in the minumum pay and get about 2% of the advertising revenue online. Many member felt that the pay increase should have been based more on DVD sales than the internet, but overall, everyone was satisfied with the final agreement.
The strike cost the Los Angeles economy nearly 2 billion dollars, and put the Oscars telecast at 'great risk', at least as much of a risk that a TV show could actually be in.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today in a statement that "A sensible end to the strike is a win-win for California and the country because the entertainment industry is so important to our economy and so many Californians can now get back to work."
Several television shows will attempt to pick up for the rest of the season, which may be extended through June for some shows. Other network programs, like NBC's Heroes, are finished for this season; fan will have to wait until the fall of '08 to see new episodes.

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