... and are trying to play god!
The Writers Guild of America is starting to lose all integrity, as they are haphazardly deciding who gets their almighty blessing and who doesn't.
Take the hypocrisy of the last day. WGA West President Patrick M. Verrone (with a straight face) said this concerning granting waivers to the 39th NAACP Image Awards:
“The guild examines each request like this individually and no decision is easy. Our ultimate goal is to resolve this strike by achieving a good contract. Because of the historic role the NAACP has played in struggles like ours, we think this decision is appropriate to jointly achieve our goals.”
What really happened is they didn't have the guts to say no to the NAACP, knowing the backlash they'd get.
Look at the unbelievable words of Verrone for the reason the Writers Guild granted waivers: "the historic role the NAACP has played in struggles like ours." Now, for those of you interested in the facts, go and check out how many times the NAACP fought for workers who make far more than the majority of Americans.
In the past the NAACP fought for many that were disenfranchised, not the wealthy, like the members of the Writers Guild of America are. The attempt by the Guild to make themselves of the same mold is outright dishonesty. It's only self-serving and hypocrisy on their part.
The working writers average around $200,000 a year, and a number of the make up to $500,000. The lowest average of all workers I've seen is just under $90,000 a year. Again, go check it out. If the NAACP has fought for workers that make more than most doctors do, list it below in the comments section. I'll will stand corrected.
Now after being asked by the Grammy's to grant a similar waiver, these people basically told them to shove it. That's even with other unions representing the music industry asking them for their support for a waiver; the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the American Federation of Musicians.
As typical with much historical union behavior, they really don't care about others that are affected by their actions, or who they hurt. The Writers Guild of America is losing respect and starting to act as if they're little gods: We grant you waivers! We don't grant you waivers. Who do they think they are?
I don't care what happens from now on, their lack of integrity and cowardly actions has made me lose respect for them. Look at the people they're putting out of work while they want their few pennies from the Internet.
Any writer still in the Guild can apologize in the comments section below. People will appreciate your actions and contrition.
You should call for a change in leadership in the union, or better yet, disband the union altogether and start working. You have a right to work. Appreciate the large amount of money you make in comparison not only to other Americans, but the poor around the world.
Those in the music industry, remember how they treated you and what they're really like.
Gary it really bugs me that you keep harping on the fact that these writers make an average of $200,000 a year. I simply don't believe it. There may be some but I've met quite a few Hollywood writers who make far less than that. True enough the writer's strike is affect people other than the writers - it is affecting actors, set crews, and the Hollywood industry as a whole. Its important to remember though that regardless of whether or not you believe the writers are already over-paid (which I don't believe to be the case for the vast majority), the truth is that the studios make far more than the writers, actors and crews combined but they can't give up some revenue for online streaming of shows? Its neither fair nor reasonable.
On the flip side, I'm frustrated with this situation as well, not because the WGA decided to grant a waiver to the NAACP award show but because of the many workers being affected and possibly harmed because these two entities refuse to come to an agreement. They have both dug their heels in and refusing to budge. To me, it sounds like a leadership issue more than anything else. I say both sides need to fire their lawyers and come to the negotiating table with a sincere desire to compromise. That's the only way this will end.
Here's an interview of two writers on strike...looks like they are interested in settling things ASAP...
Posted by: Kimberlee Morrison | January 17, 2008 11:55 AM | Permalink to Comment