(snort)

[dianeduane]

We are heartbroken to report that despite our best efforts, including sending them a muffin basket, making them a mix CD, and standing outside their window with a boombox blasting Peter Gabriel songs, our talks with the WGA have broken down. Quite frankly, we're puzzled as to why this happened. We talked about it all the way home – after we walked into their hotel room, slapped our list of demands on the table and abruptly left the negotiating session – and none of us could figure out what went wrong.

While we're not going to point fingers or assign blame, we do feel justified in saying that they are entirely at fault. The AMPTP has successfully concluded 306 major agreeements with unions since its founding in 1982, and there has never been an incident like this. Except for that writers' strike in 1985. And the directors' strike in 1987. And that other writers' strike in 1988. Aside from three isolated incidents, however, this strike is completely without precedent.

We believe our New Economic Partnership™ proposal – under which the average salary for writers making between $220,000 and $240,000 would be $230,000 – is the single greatest document since the Magna Carta. And we have proved, over the last five months, that we want writers to participate in producers' revenues. Mostly by repeatedly saying, "we want writers to participate in producers' revenues." Still, we must be clear: Under no circumstances will we knowingly participate in the destruction of this business. If we destroy this business, it will only be through accident and incompetence – that's the AMPTP Pledge®!

Heh.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh dear... Have they never noticed that if you get a group of bright intelligent creative people together they will want bright intelligent creative solutions? The degree to which employers and other big business type groups consider employees to be stupid never ceases to amaze me.
kari

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

Aye, even when they rely on said employees being intelligent, they assume they must be stupid.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Bwaahaahaahaaaa...*sniff*

That's just great. I passed it onto Peter.

I love how the producers are spending as much money as possible on PR firms to get people to write for them in a positive light.

Good faith my Aunt Fanny....

[kengr]

Just imagine if the PR firm writers belonged to WGA...

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Evil Evil Laugh Laugh!!!

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

What? The WGA refused a muffin basket AND a Peter Gabriel serenade? The heartless bastards!

Thanks for that link - the whole amptp site is great!

[fabricdragon.livejournal.com]

heavens! writers are so . temperamental.
they want us to actually?? negotiate??? talk to them?? i mean, we left them a demand letter.......
tsk
anyone would think they are responsible for our success the way they act...

besides, the internet doesn't make any money... and we are keeping it all.

[cee-m.livejournal.com]

LMAO. I love it. Peter Gabriel... he he he

"Our Thinking Is As Creative As Our Logo!"

[spatch]

We look forward to hearing from the WGA. Once they've unilaterally dropped the majority of their demands and acceded to our wishes, we look forward to having a full and frank exchange of ideas with them.

Well-played.

I wonder how long before the lawsuits are flung at this one.

Re: "Our Thinking Is As Creative As Our Logo!"

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

stares at your icon - my GAWD, I remember him! yay!

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Snaps.

And heh, heh, to the AMPTP for not registering their domain name. Welcome to the 1990s, dudes...

[amireal.livejournal.com]

I've been saying all along, is it really a good idea to pick a fight with the people who write your tag lines? *eyebrows*

[kayshapero]

Snork!