Resolutions

Resolution Number ANAL07.10

In Support Of Writers Guild Of America

WHEREAS, the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has refused to recognize the legitimate claims of the approximately 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) to fair remuneration through residuals on the distribution of its members’ creative endeavors on any current distribution platforms and those yet to be developed, including the monitoring and enforcement thereof; and

WHEREAS, the AMPTP has had sufficient experience in new media to make confident, public revenue projections to its shareholders, but nevertheless insists that it must study new media for another three years before it can bargain a residuals formula; and

WHEREAS, the AMPTP has thus far been unwilling to recognize that the wages, working conditions and residuals provided in the basic WGA contract should govern work created for any platform, new or old; and has thus far been unwilling to bargain in good faith with the WGA; and is unwilling to offer a reasonable compensation proposal on new media, the home video market formula, DVD sales, mobile phone and iPod transmissions; nor to counteroffer WGA payment proposals for Internet streaming and instead calls such use “promotional” even when whole pictures are shown and new revenue is generated;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party fully supports the strike action and the fight for a fair agreement by the Writers Guild of America as a job action necessary to furthering resolution of the issues between it and its signatory employers, and encourages the AMPTP to return to the table and engage in good faith bargaining; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution should be transmitted to the WGA, the AMPTP, the media, and interested parties.

Passed by: Los Angeles County Democratic Party, November 13, 2007
Submitted by: Robert Silver, Executive Board Member, 43rd AD, SAG Member; Clark Lee, Executive Board Member, 60th AD; Sumi Haru, Southern Chair, CDP Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus, SAG Member; Leah K. Herzberg, Member, LACDP Resolutions Committee, 41st AD; Mike Fong, Southern Vice Chair, API Caucus; Anthony Rendon, Member, LACDP; John Smith, CDP Region 16 Director;
Van Tamom, Ex Officio, LACDP; Nick Warshaw, President, CA College Democrats

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Adopted by the Executive Board
Of the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Sheraton Hotel, Anaheim
November 18, 2007