Hollywood writers going on strike
Gary Gentile

LOS ANGELES—Hollywood writers who have long complained of being underpaid and getting little respect said Thursday they would go on strike for the first time in nearly 20 years to fight for a bigger piece of the television and movie industry action.
Writers Guild of America President Patric Verrone made the announcement in a closed-door session, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, several writers told reporters. “Where the membership stands could not be more clear,” said Carlton Cuse, an executive producer of the television drama “Lost” and a member of the guild negotiating committee. “There was not a single dissenting voice in the room.”
Writers said the guild board would meet Friday to formally call a strike and decide when it would start. They said guild members would be told Friday afternoon. Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said in a statement the alliance was not surprised by the action. “We are ready to meet and are prepared to close this contract this weekend,” he said. After the meeting, Jeff Hermanson, assistant executive director of the WGA, West, was asked whether the delayed strike was a negotiating tactic.
Hermanson said he hoped the move would bring the alliance back to the table. “We hope they will come to their senses,” he said. Guild members recently authorized their negotiators to call the first strike since 1988. Officials had called a meeting of the union’s 12,000 members Thursday night. About 3,000 attended. Writers said the line of questioning inside the meeting wasn’t whether the group was going to strike, but how it would be carried out. The mood was subdued as writers filed out of the building.
Janis Hirsch, a veteran TV writer, was among the 10 percent who voted against striking. “It’s sad, but I’ve got to support my union. At this point it makes sense,” she said. Many writers said that beyond royalties, respect was at stake. They said they had never commanded the same clout in the entertainment industry as actors and directors.