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By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com

Posted Monday, November 26th, 2007 - Comments Off on Sunday Night's WGA Missive
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Sunday Night's WGA Missive

To My Fellow Members,
I hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Having spent part of that time responding to over 400 e-mails from members, I must once again state how impressed I am with the level of involvement and engagement of our membership. It is both inspiring and invigorating for Guild leadership to feel that collective strength and let me reiterate how grateful we are for it.
As you know, tomorrow we return to the bargaining table with the AMPTP. We do so with a cautious optimism born of the sense that our strike has had a direct impact on our employers but fully aware that, until we have achieved our goal of a good contract, our struggle will continue.
Be aware that there will be a news blackout during this bargaining period. We agreed to this on a limited basis so that a deal could be made without “negotiating in the press.” As such, there will be no official Guild or Negotiating Committee statements made about the content of each day’s negotiation sessions. Although this will by no means keep writers from discussing the issues in any public or private forum, I must once again implore you not to rely on any information unless it comes from a Guild source. It is my intention to send another member e-mail the moment the blackout is lifted or if the parties mutually agree to an update. Thank you in advance for your patience and indulgence.
Thank you also for your continued dedication to our daily picketing schedule. In consultation with our strike captains, and pursuant to fewer TV and film projects in production, we are reducing the minimum hours of member strike support from 20 hours to 12 hours a week, starting tomorrow. Scheduled picketing of studios will take place from Mondays through Thursdays with Fridays reserved for meetings and other special events. The new hours for each location are available here.
Let me conclude by restating the continued importance of picketing. Aside from being the most visible form of business disruption for our industry, picket lines have become focal points for our Guild community. They are a very public place where writers, our sister guild and union members, area businesses, fans, politicians, and even the general public can show support and solidarity. This unprecedented support and solidarity no doubt provoked the resumption of negotiations tomorrow and it will ultimately lead to a successful resolution. We’re all in this together.
Best,
Patric M. Verrone
President, WGA West
Strike Information
WGAW members: if you have NOT been contacted before Monday morning by your Strike Captain with your shift and location, report to a either a morning shift or afternoon shift at a picket line location below. Please be sure to sign in.
Picketing Locations and Schedule – Week 4
CBS RADFORD STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 6am-3pm (6-9, 9-12, 12-3)
4024 Radford Avenue
Studio City, CA 91604
Meeting Point: In front of Main Gate on Radford Ave.
Parking Option: Street parking around site.
CBS TELEVISION CITY
Picketing Shifts: 8am-2pm (8-11, 11-2)
7800 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Meeting Point: Genesee Ave Gate
Parking Option: Streets North of Beverly Blvd or Grove Parking Structure
DISNEY STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 8am-2pm (8-11, 11-2)
500 S Buena Vista Street
Burbank, California 91521
Meeting Point: Meet west of the main gate on Alameda
Parking Option: Neighborhood streets east of Disney (Parkside Dr.)
FOX STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 5:30am-2pm (5:30-8, 8-11, 11-2)
10201 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Meeting Point: Main Gate on Motor Ave. & Pico Blvd.
Parking Option: On Motor Ave near Cheviot Recreation Center or Century City Mall. Cheviot Hills Recreational Center Parking Lot, off Motor Ave (LA Parks and Rec) Walkable to Fox Lot.
NBC BURBANK
Picketing Shifts: 7am-4pm (7-10, 10-1, 1-4)
3000 W Alameda Ave
Burbank, CA
Meeting Point: Under the Johnny Carson sign – in the park
Parking Option: Street parking on California
PARAMOUNT STUDIOS / RALEIGH STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
Picketing Shifts: 5:30am-3pm (5:30-8:45, 8:45-12, 12-3) – *check near date for final confirmation
5555 Melrose Avenue & 5300 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038 Meeting Point: Windsor Gate
Parking Option: Streets south of Melrose
SONY PICTURES STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 6am-3pm (6-9, 9-12, 12-3)
10202 W. Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
Meeting Point: Gate 5–Main Gate
Parking Option: Streets SW Corner of Studio (Culver & Overland). Culver City veterans park (across the Street From Sony Studios (Walking Distance) over 200 Parking spaces in Public Park Lot)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 6am-3pm (6-9, 9-12, 12-3)
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Meeting Point: Meet at the Metro stop on Lankershim & Campo de Cahuenga (NW corner)
WARNER BROS. STUDIOS
Picketing Shifts: 5am-5pm (5-8, 8-11, 11-2, 2-5)
4000 Warner Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91522
Meeting Place: Gate 2-3 on Olive
Parking Option: Street parking around studio

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