"OPEN LETTER TO ALL IATSE MEMBERS AND LOCALS ENGAGED IN MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION.
As you are aware, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is currently in negotiations for a successor contract to the current agreement that expires on October 31, 2007. While the IATSE remains hopeful that a new agreement can be reached between the WGA and the Employers, there is a potential for a work stoppage.
The IATSE has over 50,000 members in two countries engaged in motion picture and television production. Any work stoppage may have a profound and long-lasting impact on you and your families.
The IATSE contracts contain provisions that require us to continue to honor our contracts. These "no strike" provisions require the IATSE to notify our members of their obligation to honor these contracts and continue working. Any individual member who chooses to honor any picket line is subject to permanent replacement (our emphasis)."
So, just to summarize.
SAG: Supports WGA.
TEAMSTERS: Supports WGA.
UNION 839: Reminds us all we could be replaced. You know. Because... they're required to do so.
I'm just saying.
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DGA: Reminds it's members that they could be replaced if they cross a picket line.
IATSE: Reminds it's members that they could be replaced if they cross a picket line.
SAG: Reminds it's members that they can support WGA on their own time, and that they could be replaced if they honor a picket line.
TEAMSTERS: The ONLY union in town with a clause in their contract saying they can't be sanctioned by their union for honoring a picket line.
I'm just saying.
And the WGA's history of honoring other unions picket lines -- it's a long, illustrious history, right? Right?
I'm just asking.
Fair enough. Fair commentary.
Wish you weren't anonymous. No need for it, really.
I have my own feelings about writing is handled under an 839 contract, but it's opinion. As I've said, there are things I like about the union...
...but the lack of residuals on things that play a gabillion times is, to be fair, frustrating, ya know?
Anybody else want to weigh in?
You're absolutely right, it is frustrating. It sucks. It's something that's deserved by a bunch of people in animation (though getting everyone to agree on who's on that list, and who isn't, would be hell).
And Steve, thank you for doing this blog. The fact that I'm providing counterpoints to some of your points doesn't meant I don't agree with most of what you say, or that I don't respect the way you're saying it.
You're a stand-up dude, and I wish more people from all corners could discuss these issues as thoughtfully.
I've said this on Artful Writer, I'll say it here:
My belief is, Animation writers and live-action writers deserve more and better residuals.
However, the question isn't what any given writer deserves. It's what any given writer can -- with the leverage he or she possesses -- get.
In 2000, TAG had a contract negotiating committee with mostly writers. They talked to animation producers for nine months trying to get some kind of writer residual.
Nine months.
They ended up with a somewhat better contract but .... no residuals.
I think it will be instructive to see what the WGA gets in the way of residual improvements during this contract cycle.
And the WGA's history of honoring other unions picket lines -- it's a long, illustrious history, right? Right?
I walked a picket line in front of Disney for 2 1/2 months.
Watching other IA locals cross ... SAG members cross ... WGA members cross ... DGA members cross.
And finally our own members cross, after they had declared a "financial core" status and were free to do so.
A few weeks of striking is relatively easy. It's the two months ... six months ... nine months that get to you.
I don't think the WGA strike will go nine months, but I'm hardly a psychic.
I dunno, Steve. I agree with you. It's easy to be passionate at the beginning... harder still as time goes by.
I'm wrestling with this in my own way, over both my WGA stuff and my 839 stuff.
Hello from New York City where animation writers have NO union at all!
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