Songs of Angry Men

Posted on the WGAE website, Wednesday night:

Dear Fellow Members:

Today, just hours before the expiration of our contract, the AMPTP brought negotiations to a halt.

The companies refused to continue to bargain unless we agree that the hated DVD formula be extended to Internet downloads.

This morning we presented the AMPTP with a comprehensive package of proposals that included movement on DVDs, new media, and jurisdictional issues. We also took nine proposals off the table. The companies returned six hours later and said they would not respond to our package until we capitulated to their Internet demand.

After three and a half months of bargaining, the AMPTP still has not responded to a single one of our important proposals. Every issue that matters to writers, including Internet reuse, original writing for new media, DVDs, and jurisdiction have been ignored. This is completely unacceptable.

Michael Winship
President
Writers Guild of America, East

Patric M. Verrone
President
Writers Guild of America, West

Rest in peace, October.

Welcome to the world, November.

It is going to be a lean Christmas...