This is topic Writers' Strike Question: Why do they need permission to sign up the other writers? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
I know that one of the things the WGA wants is to sign up the writers of reality shows and animation shows as well. Why is that a negotiating point? Why do they need permission to sign up the other writers? Are those writers not covered by any union at all?
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I assume they want to write into the contract situations where the writers would be required to be union members, much like is the case for television writers.
And no, they probably aren't. Most workers in that sort of job (professional-creative) aren't; Hollywood is the exception, rather than the rule.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Does someone have a link where the WGA explains the request?
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
I think that article may be a bit old.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
During the strike there were a few mentions of trying to sign up new media creators, but since negotiations are privileged and nobody was talking much about the non-major demands (though I suspect the studios viewed that one as a substantial hidden reef), I haven't seen any specifics.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Specifics are what I'm looking for. It has to be somewhere.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
The WGA seeks to obtain blanket jurisdiction over reality programs through its top-down organizing tactics, and thereby deprive these employees of their free choice to elect union coverage under the voting system administered by the National Labor Relations Board. The AMPTP has asked the WGA to withdraw this demand."
And here's the WGA's explanation of why they are looking to organize reality TV writers.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
To add:
This is a fairly standard war when it comes to unionizing any segment of labor.
Management wants a vote (and will try to influence the vote).
The unions want to automatically apply union membership to the workers via their own (not as public) methods of signing up.
Ostensibly, it seems like having a vote is the right thing to do, but from what I recall from reading about this in the past, it gets quite complicated (and heated).
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :