MUMBAI: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) have voted
overwhelmingly in favour of lifting the restraining order and ending their 100-day strike that began on 5 November.

Three thousand seven hundred and seventy five writers turned out in Los Angeles and New York to cast ballots or fax in proxies, with 92.5 per cent voting in favor of ending the work stoppage.

WGA West president Patric M. Verrone says, “The strike is over. Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work. This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet.

Verrone adds: "Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed.”

WGA East president Michael Winship says, “The success of this strike is a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future.

"The commitment and solidarity of our members made it happen and have been an inspiration not only to us but the entire organized labor movement. We will build on that energy and unity to make our two unions stronger than ever.”

WGA members will now vote to ratify the tentative three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The membership ratification vote will be conducted by mail and also at membership meetings on 25 February, 2008.

Also Read:

WGA strike coming to an end, mixed response to deal