The strike by the Writers Guild of America has generated a lot of talk around the media world, including the Internet. And speaking of the Internet, that's what the strike is all about.
Some people are saying the strike will determine the future of the union, but, as I mentioned here, this isn't really about survival, as far as the working writers go, they already have extraordinary pay and benefits.
Other than the external issue of the Internet, the real issue is if this union is really needed at all. My thought is that is isn't.
The good, high quality writers will always get their due, and good upcoming writers need the freedom to be able to break into the industry without having the union albatross hung around their knecks.
Whether there's a writers union or not will have no impact on the industry or writers; that's what they need to learn. Writers are needed, that's known. What also needs to be known is the industry overall would benefit, as well as the writers, from an open, and free market where everybody can compete. That will only strengthen the product they offer.
What is really happening here is the growing irrelevancy of unions in general. When you look at the so-called Internet issue, there's really not much there, as studios are still largely in the experimental stage, and there's nothing to show what will or will not work yet.
Sure you have the downloaded shows that people watch on their computers, but that is still in its infancy, and isn't proven in any way how much revenue it will generate. If this was really about the Internet, waiting another three years to strike would have made much more sense, as it would give a better picture and numbers so there could be real data to work from. That doesn't exist at this time.
So while everyone is going to say this is a battle for Internet revenue, it's really a battle over the growing irrelevancy of unions, and a move to try to make it look strong.
With active writers making about $200,000 a year and getting great benefits, this is far from a money issue or getting a bigger piece of the pie. It's the anemic union leadership trying to flex their muscles to show they're still strong and have a purpose. Whether they win or lose this particular battle, this union is already being seen as weak.
So with these writers already getting for more money, benefits and revenue, they should quietly disband this union and recognize the new world we've been living in for the last 20 years.
Don't be fooled, none of this is about money, the writers are already in high income brackets, it's about the attempt to make a weak union strong. In the end it won't work, we already know they are no longer wanted or needed in the modern work place.
If the union was weak or weakening there would not have been enough votes for a strike. It's about being proactive with regards to potential new revenue. A royalty or residual can be agreed upon, to be paid only if Internet/digital revenues grow and/or exceed specific amount(s).
Posted by: lair | November 7, 2007 6:35 PM | Permalink to Comment