WGA schedules membership meetings

In another signal that the writers strike may be ending, the WGA leadership has scheduled a pair of weekend membership meetings to provide an update about the deal offered by the majors.

In a message sent Monday night to members, WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman said that the negotiating committee, the WGA West board of directors and the WGA East Council would not vote on the contract until after meetings.

Bowman wrote to the members after the latest offer from the companies received a generally positive reception in Monday meetings of the negotiating committee and WGA West board. But he warned that the negotiations have not been completed.

The WGA West meeting is expected to take place at the Shrine auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

Here's the entire message --

Dear Fellow Members,

I would like to update you on where we stand with bargaining with the AMPTP.

While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.

In order to keep members abreast of the latest developments, informational meetings are being planned by both Guilds for this weekend – details to be announced.

Neither the Negotiating Committee, nor the West Board or the East Council, will take action on the contract until after the membership meetings. As the talks proceed, never forget that during this period it is critical for us to remain on the picket lines united and strong. We are all in this together.

In Solidarity,

John F. Bowman
Chair, WGA Negotiating Committee