The WGA and the International Solidarity of Managed Expectations

Australian Writers Guild members Terry Antoniak and David Franken at the Brisbane, Australia AWG demo on Nov. 26, the International Day Of Solidarity

The WGA is keeping a lid on specifics from its two days of negotiations this week with the AMPTP, as evidenced in a message sent late Tuesday night to strike captains.

The guild, which continues negotiations today under a news blackout, is also reminding the captains to tell members to maintain perspective and to take what they read about the strike with a big grain of salt.

The WGA's also staging a rally at 1 p.m. today outside NBC Burbank as part of its International Solidarity Day. The entire message to strike captains, after the jump.

-- Dave McNary   

DEAR 2007 STRIKE CAPTAINS,

· NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE: Negotiations are ongoing. Because both sides agreed to a press blackout, we have no news to report.  HOWEVER – it’s important that all of us maintain a sense of perspective about the process and remain strong and united. Remind your team members to read the industry blogs with a critical eye. Because of the pressure we’ve brought to bear so far, the AMPTP is back at the table – and now, more than ever, we must maintain that pressure, on the picket lines, in the press, on the blogs. That pressure will keep the AMPTP bargaining in good faith; that pressure will help us accomplish what we all want:  a fair deal that ends this strike.

CALENDAR:

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28th

· INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY: The International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG), an international body representing guilds of professional screenwriters, has made November 28th International Solidarity Day. Demonstrations will be held in support of the Writers Guild of America in cities around the world including: Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Sydney, Auckland, Montreal, and Berlin. Join us for worldwide statements of union solidarity and a brief rally at NBC Burbank (Alameda Gate) on Wednesday, November 28th at 1:00 pm.

· UNITED HOLLYWOOD LIVE: The next United Hollywood Live broadcast is Wednesday, November 28th, from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.  Covering all aspects of the WGA strike, the interactive show will include interviews, live reports from the various picket lines and video clips.  Tune in by clicking on the United Hollywood Live widget along the right hand side of www.UnitedHollywood.com  or by going to www.NowLive.com/show/UnitedHollywood.  The show will air each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the duration of the strike.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29TH

· UNION SOLIDARITY: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has been very supportive of our strike.  The SEIU Security Officer Local (SOULA Local 2006) is asking WGA members to support them in their fight for justice. Join them on Thursday, Nov. 29th at 11:00 am at 1247 W. 7th Street (7th & Bixel St) in downtown LA. SEIU will bus supporters to downtown LA for a short rally and march ending at 1:00 pm. (see attached flyer)

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30TH

· STRIKE CAPTAINS MEETING: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the WGAW.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1ST

· MALIBU FIRE CLEAN-UP: Strike Captain Dan Stroncak is organizing a cleanup for team member Todd Robinson’s neighborhood in Malibu on Saturday December 1st, time TBD. A portion of Todd's house burned in the fire this past weekend and the rest was flooded with water when the helicopters made a drop.  Todd organized and paid for the sky sign at the Hollywood march and rally last Tuesday. If you would like to help out, please contact Dan at scriptguy8@aol.com.

· SEEKING STRIKING WGA MEMBERS FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL AREA: The WGA's Media Room is working with the St. Paul Pioneer Press on a potential story about the strike.  We're seeking WGA members from the area to participate, and we need to track them down as soon as possible. Ideal candidates will be working writers who are originally from Minneapolis or St. Paul. If interested please send a brief description of your credits and local ties to tom.mcalister@gmail.com.

· STRIKE HQ: Needs volunteers for morning and afternoon phone shifts (6:00 am – 10:00 am and 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm). We are also in need of volunteers to unload and load vans (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm). If interested, please call 323-782-4833.

· LOST & FOUND: Just a reminder, there is a growing mountain of lost and found items in Strike HQ.  Jackets, sweaters, book and computer bags and more! If you think you may have lost a personal item on the line, please come in and take a look.