The WGA has taken Animation and "Reality" off the table in the current negotiations. That's unfortunate for a number of reasons, though I can't say it comes as a huge surprise. I hope we got or get something meaningful in exchange. I don't think it's just face-saving rhetoric when our leaders say that organizing efforts in those areas will continue anyway. We were making progress there before this negotiation and I can't see any reason why that would change now. It'll just take longer.
Having stated how much faith and respect I have regarding our leadership, I must say that I'm bothered by statements like this latest one from WGAW president Patrick Verrone and WGAE president Michael Winship…
We ask that all members exercise restraint in their public statements during this critical period.
I guess I understand why they said that. It could make things more congenial and productive in the bargaining…but it's so contrary to so much of what this Guild stands for. More importantly, everyone must know that the leadership of the WGA could no more get its members to withhold their opinions than Nick Counter could force Rupert Murdoch to come over and paint my garage.