Strike slogan of the day: "Logic dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

That Mr. Spock quote was the inscription on T-shirts Monday morning at the WGA's picket line at Paramount -- home of the "Star Trek" franchise for the past four decades.

Early notable cast members on the line included Armin Shimerman ("Deep Space Nine"), Brent Spiner ("The Next Generation) and George Takei of the orginal series-- all in civilian clothes rather than costume. (Also sighted: sci-fi fiction author-icon Harlan Ellison.)

"We actors work because of the writers and that's we're out here supporting them," said Takei.

Shimerman said he's particularly grateful to the late Michael Piller and scribe Ira Behr for creating his Quark character and the culture around him -- including the 280 Rules of Acquisition followed by the Ferengi people in the series.

"The scripts were so well written that we always said exactly what was on the page," Shimerman added. "The writers are the ones creating the original art and we're the interpreters. And it's insane that they're not being compensated fairly for work on the Internet." 

Behr, who wrote 53 episodes of "Deep Space Nine, was easy to spot with a blue beard and was one of the centers of attention Monday with fans and former associates greeting him warmly. With the strike now in its sixth week, he said he's keeping his spirits up by remembering the 1988 strike.

"There was so much infighting in 1988," Behr recalled. "There's a lot of unity this time so that gives me hope."

He also said that the strike's resonating because of its emphasis on middle-class writers.

"The rise of unions in this country is what led to the rise of the middle class," he said. "Now that's under assault." 

Comments

[IATSE Mom]

Yes. Spock said it in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. Perhaps the WGA should have thought of the "The needs of the many..." that aren't members of the WGA but still unemployed because of them before they walked out on strike.

Vulcan's aren't supposed to lie either, but they are prone to exaggeration as both the AMPTP and the WGA seem to be doing.

Trek alum Ron Moore was the first writer I heard mention of the whole IATSE gets residuals in their pension and welfare package falsehood/misunderstanding. Commnander Data would no doubt correct him on the difference between contributions from residuals and receipts.

If you want to properly cast the parties in this strike ala Star Trek, yes the WGA is Captain Kirk, but don't forget Kirk is a flawed hero: cocky, arrogant and prone to bending the Prime Directive for the greater good. The AMPTP are Ferengis. Nuff said about them. What is needed to resolve this strike is the logical Spock. Too bad he wouldn't be born for 200 years if he existed.