State of the Unions

(Newser) - The first Hollywood writers strike since 1988 began early this morning when union representatives walked out on talks with studio negotiators after 11 hours at the bargaining table. Both sides expect the strike to be long, expensive and debilitating. "Once it starts, it's going to get ugly," a writer told the Los Angeles Times . More »

(Newser) - Members of the Writers Guild of America met in their LA headquarters this weekend to plan for their strike, scheduled to begin at midnight tonight. About 300 strike captains will lead and organize the picketing. "This is it. This is the time in history that a stand has to be made," one writer told the Los Angeles Times. More »

(Newser) - Hollywood scribes vow to strike on Monday if they can't reach an accord with film and TV companies first. "We don't want to strike," a Writers Guild of America rep said today. "What we really want to do is negotiate." But the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers reacted by blasting the guild for "falsehoods, misstatements and inaccuracies. We are very disappointed with their press conference and the action they took." More »

(Newser) - Setting the stage for the first walkout in nearly 20 years, Hollywood writers voted yesterday to go on strike, reports Associated Press. The union's president announced the decision in a closed-door meeting yesterday, drawing raucous cheers from the assembly. "There was a unified feeling. I don't think anyone wants the strike, but people are behind the negotiation committee," said one writer. More »

(Newser) - Fans of soaps and late-night talk shows, get ready for reruns; a strike looms as soon as tomorrow after Hollywood’s writers and producers failed to reach agreement on a new deal last night. Stalled talks were called off before the writers' contract expired at midnight, and the sides are deadlocked on key issues, including increased residuals for DVDs and other digital distribution channels. More »

(Newser) - The current Hollywood labor difficulties are the culmination of generations of animosity, dating to the earliest days of talking pictures and studios' resentment of the sophisticated New Yorkers they employed. With the Writers Guild of America set to strike at midnight tomorrow, the LA Times takes a look at a long, troubled marriage that's currently on the rocks. More »

(Newser) - The medical fund the NFL established in July for its retired players will receive a $10 million boost. The money will be added to the $7 million already in the fund and be used for joint replacement surgery, cardiovascular screening and assisted living. “We're continuing to work on the other needs of retired players,” said commissioner Roger Goodell, according to the AP. More »

(Newser) - Last week, Paramount issued an urgent call for someone, anyone, to doctor its Wolverine script—fast. Across Hollywood, studios and writers alike are desperately rushing to finish scripts before the Writers' Guild’s Halloween strike deadline, the LA Times reports. “Everybody is living in the impending doom,” said one scribe, furiously scribbling a Da Vinci Code sequel. More »

(Newser) - Hollywood writers are headed for the picket line if they don't reach a deal with the studios by Oct. 31. Members of the film and TV writers' union voted by a 90% margin to authorize a strike if the standoff isn't resolved, the first such strike vote since 1988, the Los Angeles Times reports. At issue is the writers' belief that they are being shortchanged on home video sales and web distribution. More »

(Newser) - Arguing that the collective bargaining agreement signed last year by the NFL player's union protected all bonus money, Michael Vick's lawyers fought the Falcons' ongoing attempt to recover $22 million in bonuses it had paid the quarterback and convicted dog abuser. The CBA is alleged to override any such forfeiture, even if it is permitted in the player's contract. More »

(Newser) - In the wake of scandals involving Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel and Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, among others, Major League Baseball is weighing a blood test for human growth hormone that would be implemented by next season. A test developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency is expected to be available for mass use within a few months, USA Today reports. More »

(Newser) - Even though he can’t expect broad endorsement, John Edwards is pushing hard for labor support, hoping to rack up the backing of a slew of individual unions. The Washington Post reports ahead of tonight’s AFL-CIO-sponsored Democratic forum that union backing is key to the Southerner’s strategy, even though a collective federation endorsement—which takes a two-thirds vote—is highly unlikely. More »