A Message from WGAW President Patric M. Verrone
To My Fellow Animation Writers,
As you have probably already heard, the Negotiating Committee decided today to drop animation from our proposals in the current round of talks. While this decision brings me great personal sadness, I believe it was necessary to our overarching goal of achieving the best contract for all writers. Winning animation coverage through an MBA negotiation was always a long shot because the conglomerates consider it a non-mandatory subject of bargaining. Linking it with animation jurisdiction, the AMPTP used the issue to divide our membership and create the false impression that it was an obstruction to successful MBA negotiations.
I'm sure this news disappoints and frustrates most of you but know that there were advances made for animation writers in this contract campaign. Our independent deal with MRC includes a new media contract that covers Seth MacFarlane's animated series of webisodes for Google. That coverage will stand even if the final MBA does not have animation explicitly covered. Also, at least nine other studios signed independent agreements which include our animation proposal. Though a favored nations clause may remove that coverage from the final contract, it is an indication that important independent producers were willing to enter into a contract to cover feature and new media animation. We hope that is a sign of things to come.
Now that animation is no longer an issue in our strike, the Guild can focus attention on gaining contract coverage for animation writers through an organizing campaign. A major campaign action is being planned by the Animation Writers Caucus to be held in the next two weeks. Details of that event will be available shortly.
I thank you for your perseverance in our struggle and I look forward to seeing it to its successful conclusion in the very near future.
Best,
Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW
Bite.
Me.
Twice.
[ETA: As I explained to a commenter below, I was totally expecting this. But I was surprised at how galled I felt at this explanation, spinning it like it's such a good thing for all of us. So fucking condescending. "It's called 'bailing,' dickwad, or 'leaving a large percentage of people high and dry and keeping them second class citizens.'" Don't try to pretend it isn't.]
As you have probably already heard, the Negotiating Committee decided today to drop animation from our proposals in the current round of talks. While this decision brings me great personal sadness, I believe it was necessary to our overarching goal of achieving the best contract for all writers. Winning animation coverage through an MBA negotiation was always a long shot because the conglomerates consider it a non-mandatory subject of bargaining. Linking it with animation jurisdiction, the AMPTP used the issue to divide our membership and create the false impression that it was an obstruction to successful MBA negotiations.
I'm sure this news disappoints and frustrates most of you but know that there were advances made for animation writers in this contract campaign. Our independent deal with MRC includes a new media contract that covers Seth MacFarlane's animated series of webisodes for Google. That coverage will stand even if the final MBA does not have animation explicitly covered. Also, at least nine other studios signed independent agreements which include our animation proposal. Though a favored nations clause may remove that coverage from the final contract, it is an indication that important independent producers were willing to enter into a contract to cover feature and new media animation. We hope that is a sign of things to come.
Now that animation is no longer an issue in our strike, the Guild can focus attention on gaining contract coverage for animation writers through an organizing campaign. A major campaign action is being planned by the Animation Writers Caucus to be held in the next two weeks. Details of that event will be available shortly.
I thank you for your perseverance in our struggle and I look forward to seeing it to its successful conclusion in the very near future.
Best,
Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW
Bite.
Me.
Twice.
[ETA: As I explained to a commenter below, I was totally expecting this. But I was surprised at how galled I felt at this explanation, spinning it like it's such a good thing for all of us. So fucking condescending. "It's called 'bailing,' dickwad, or 'leaving a large percentage of people high and dry and keeping them second class citizens.'" Don't try to pretend it isn't.]