Support for WGA tactics are diminishing

Recently, I heard the other side. I posted earlier this month that I reluctantly supported the WGA and I am more reluctant today after hearing the other side of the story. The so called below the line WORKING employees who are put out of work by this strike right before the holidays is unnecessarily cruel. With or without a contract, this strike could have waited until after the holidays. Given that apparently 48% of writers are unemployed at any given time (WGA's own statistics), that means that of the 12,000 or so members, almost 6,000 have no immediate effect to a strike, and when you consider that there are definitely more upper middle class writers than are upper middle class below the line NON UNION workers, I can only say that I think the timing was ill conceived.

Also, as more details of the negotiation sticking points have been revealed, I am not impressed with writers whose TV script base hasn't diminished wanted to be compensated for ad supported internet streams a few days after its original airing. What I read is that the producers were offering six weeks; I would have insisted they wait for the show's season ends before being able to collect.

Listen, I'm not saying the studios and producers aren't being a bit greedy, I think they probably are, but who invested in the technology that allows for streaming show episodes? Who ultimately takes the risk that what is written will generate profitable revenue? That's the producers and studios. I've read that the studios and AMPTP really wants to scrap the residuals system in lieu of some other form of payment. Now I'm not naive, I'm sure if they can figure out how to make it look good on the surface, but ultimately end up benefitting them over the WGA members in the long run, they would consider that ideal, however, I also would like to see some other system explored that replaces the administrative nightmare that is residuals with something that accomplishes the same goal. I will post my suggestions at a later date.

Listen up WGA writers, I support the notion that you should be paid for future profitability of your work, no question there, but I urge you to consider what, of internet media distribution, has REPLACED by TV viewership and the resulting ad revenue and what is actually an expansion and start from there with your negotiations.