ABC News agreement reached

That’s one less strike to worry about.

The Writers Guild of America, East announced Thursday it had reached a tentative labor agreement with ABC News on behalf of 250 news writers, editors and other staff members in the news division’s New York and Washington offices who have been working without a contract for almost three years.

The two-year contract, which will be voted on by the guild members Dec. 13, grants the employees 3.5% annual raises, along with a onetime $3,700 payment to settle outstanding National Labor Relations Board charges brought against ABC by the union. . The union agreed to a reduction in payments for network radio employees and other adjustments.

“We’re pleased to secure, finally, a fair contract for our members,” Mona Mangan, executive director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said in a statement. We expect the membership to ratify this contract, and we can now continue our work of delivering quality news to the public.”

In a separate statement, ABC said it was “pleased, after three long years of negotiation, to be able to make a deal. We value our WGA-represented employees, and we look forward to a positive ratification vote that will allow both sides to put this behind them."

Earlier this month, CBS News employees working under a WGA agreement voted to authorize a strike after negotiations broke down between the network and the union. It remains to be seen whether the guild will call for a labor stoppage.

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[academy screamer]

WGA response is no cause for dancing in the streets:
http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2615

[pensive]

TV is an outlet at the end of a crazy day at work and with the kids.
Sometimes, it allows us to open our minds and hearts.
Sometimes, it allows us to be mindless and veg out.
Sometimes, it is like visiting old friends at the end a rough day.

I am all for the writers and hope they get what they want.

But, I also believe at some point they are going to start to bite the hand that feeds them - the viewers!

The tide is turning and the viewers are starting to get annoyed, not supportive, of their cause.

The writer's strike (and the strike back here on the east coast on Broadway) almost feels like we the viewers are being held hostage.

Can you imagine no new tv from February until September?

I will tell you this- viewers will turn their attentions elsewhere. Smart video game and dvd distributors should gearing up to flood the market the "new" materials to keep people busy.

Anyone have an "unscripted" reality show they want to peddle? Nows the time.

Musical Artists should start their tours early- don't wait for summer.

People will find a way to amuse themselves at night, and, frankly, they might not return in the same numbers in the Fall.

Then, what happens to the residuals and other numbers they are all fighting over?