The world is safe for superhero pics again: WGA pacts with Lionsgate and Marvel

While maintaining radio silence about its negotiations with the majors, the WGA has signed two more interim deals with indie producers -- Lionsgate and Marvel.

That brings the number of such pacts to an even dozen in less than a month since David Letterman's Worldwide Pants signed the initial agreement.

The deals represent the WGA's "divide and conquer" strategy of putting pressure on the majors by demonstrating that the terms it seeks are reasonable. For Lionsgate, the deal is particularly helping in allowing the company to begin work again on its TV shows such as "Mad Men" and "Weeds."

WGA West president Patric Verrone and WGA East president Michael Winship issued a statement jointly “Lionsgate is considered a leader in the industry, and its signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably.”

The AMPTP reiterated its statement about such deals:  "These one-off agreements are meaningless because the companies signing them know they will not have to abide by their terms for very long, since they'll be superseded by whatever final industry-wide accords are reached. If companies truly had to live by the terms of these one-off agreements, we are confident none would ever be signed."

-- Dave McNary

Comments

[justice4writers]

Is Mona Mangan working with the AMPTP to bring shame on the WGA by Union Busting her own staff? Is she sabotaging WGA Public Opinion?

[According to The Newspaper Guild/WGAE Staff site
http://wgaestaffunion.wordpress.com/]

- Communications Director and former Unit Chair Susan DeCarava was informed last week that her job was being “subcontracted out” due to budget cuts. Sherry Goldman is supposed to take on Susan’s work. Management tried to get Michael O’Neil, who was hired to help out with the website during the strike, to take on some of her work, but he refused and quit last Wednesday.

- The required meeting was held last Thursday night between TNG reps (Bill and John) and management (Outside Council Eric from Spivak and WGAE Council Ann) to discuss the “subcontracting.” Management was not able to come up with any of the required documentation, and offered several different, conflicting reasons for the change.

- The process will continue, however, Susan was informed that her last day would be Fridy

This was not taken from the Staff Site but of interest...

every time outside Council is involved in a dispute, WGAE member dues pay SPIVAK LIPTON LLP - where her ex-husband is a partner. no wonder why she's taken almost 2 years on this staff contract & refuses to sign even the ratified agreement!