The Writers Guild of America has voted to end their 100-day strike that began on November 5 last year.
New Zealand Writers Guild executive director Steven Gannaway said New Zealand members had shown support for fellow writers.
"Many NZ writers rejected approaches by studios in the US and this kind of solidarity is great. The hope is that the benefits achieved will open the way for New Zealand writers to see similar gains."The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) voted overwhelmingly in favour of lifting the restraining order. In Los Angeles and New York 3,775 writers turned out on Thursday to cast ballots or fax in proxies, with 92.5% voting to end the work stoppage.
"The strike is over. Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work," said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West.
"This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet. Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed."
"The success of this strike is a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future," said Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East. "The commitment and solidarity of our members made it happen and have been an inspiration not only to us but the entire organized labor movement. We will build on that energy and unity to make our two unions stronger than ever."
WGAW and WGAE members will next vote to ratify the tentative three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The membership ratification vote will be conducted by mail and also at membership meetings on February 25, 2008.
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) represent writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news.
13/02/08