Writer's Strike
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- Ramanisky20
writers ... really ?
I thought it was manatee's who wrote those shows
- madirish0
not in any way is this "is beyond ridiculous." what i, and the overwhelming majority of the world would feel is "beyond ridiculous" would be the centrist-driven, market-idealizing, false economy of monies, demands and empire that this country has created under the quieted, exploited and overall derailment of all labor valuation, here and abroad. that is actually *fucking* "beyond ridiculous" in my view.
how in what way, has U.S. corporate america and gov't post say.... 1890 EVER dealt with labor rights, fair 'market' value, or prosperity? i actually think your european example is prime for a more 'civilized' way of taking back what is the sweat of it in the first place. although, South America might be a more atune example.
- rylamar0
I thought this would mean that more TV viewers may discover those things called books and actually read them.
Then I realized the ONLY way many people today will read a book is if there is a reality show where celebrities take turns reading a book to the viewers and we call/text in and vote who did the best job and then give 1 person the boot each week.
- rafalski0
actually think your european example is prime for a more 'civilized' way of taking back what is the sweat of it in the first place. although, South America might be a more atune example.
madirish
(Nov 7 07, 13:44)It probably depends on the way you look at things. I treat work as a deal between adults: the employer has things that he needs done, I do them for a specified amount of money on a daily basis. We have a steady contract. Simple. If I feel underpaid, I go and renegotiate or go somewhere else where they will pay me more if my work is worth it for them. I can arrange with other employees who feel the same to negotiate as a group, that gives us extra leverage and strengtens our negotiation stance. That all seems fair. In a very rare situation, to put extra pressure on the employer, we possibly may go on a strike if we feel strong enough. This gets serious now, because if we don't work, employer loses money, misses deadlines, that could fuck him up and he has way more to lose than we do. In this case, it is understandable for me that we can all get fired and replaced. But in majority of such cases employer would rather negotiate and reach an agreement. Nevertheless I would not expect to be paid for the time we were on strike (unless we negotiate otherwise) and I'd avoid causing them loss. I am not sure how it works in the US, but in EU you cannot lay off people who go on strike and sabotage your business. You have to pay them for the strike. You cannot replace them in order to keep your business running, the law allows them to terrorize you like that. You're stuck with them and they dictate whilst ruining you. It is not a deal between adults, you as an employer have to be a kindergarten for your employees. There are countries like France, where work is not a deal, it is a human right. To fire an employee is a costly procedure, so you're likely to keep an employee even if he doesn't work effectively. That is bad business and French economy reflects that. Now with the new treaty and EU charter of rights coming, it goes towards this direction in all of EU.
I might sound like an ultraconservative to some here, but at least my actions are aligned with my opinions. I have moved to the country with probably the least work protection laws in the old (first 15) EU countries. Ireland used to be a poor country paralyzed by trade unions and high taxes until they came to their senses, held unions back and lowered taxes. This worked amazingly and Irish economy is doing great now. Unemployment is hardly an issue and jobs are way better paid than in a lot of the EU.
I work for a company, so one might think work protection, unions and so on would only be good for me. I say these are bad for the workforce. Easy firing is good, because it means easy hiring. I wrote it many times before, I once got fired in Ireland and jobless as I was I went for a planned trip to Paris. There were thousands on the streets there, protesting against a law that would allow to fire people aged up to 26. I laughed looking at them, because I just got fired with a week's notice, was over 26 and was sure to get a new job soon unlike these poor French fellas who suffered unemployment and fought for a law that would ensure bigger unemployment. It was crazy. I went back to 'capitalist' Ireland and found a better job in no time.The US writers' strike situation however looks ok to me. That's negotiating and a lot of them take a huge risk by taking part in such a forceful move. That seems fair compared to workers terrorizing (mostly state) employers in Europe.
- Llyod0
we need more wrestling pictures!
- capsize0
Writers Guild of America= Aircraft Controllers Union
those eggheads are going to be destroyed as a union. Wait! Maybe the talent will come to their support!
HAhahahahahahahahaha oh yeah the last hollywood millionaire unionist was Reagan. good luck and good night.
- fortified0
if anything I see it as a good opportunity for online work, as I just attempted to explain in another thread, once the networks dry up with new programming the advertisers will start pulling money away from broadcast and putting more of it online.
So even broadcast and motion designers will still have work with online agencies.
- Jaline0
What will I do with all my free time?
- madirish0
very good thoughts here raf, but coule of critical items need addressing, as locale might play a HUGE impact on your thoughts;
"I treat work as a deal between adults: the employer has things that he needs done, I do them for a specified amount of money on a daily basis. We have a steady contract. Simple. If I feel underpaid, I go and renegotiate or go somewhere else where they will pay me more if my work is worth it for them."
- this assumes that you are on an even keel and both sides have the same 'legal' groundwork to make this assumption from- read: corporate vs. individual structure w/in law system. in US it is far from even, it is frankly not in the same game, let along field.second, scale, population, and size of your surroundings might make this a HUGE difference as well. what if you were say, in the middle of the country and *only* outlet for you were in the ONE corp in town and to go to another (if you wanted or needed, doesn't matter) were hours away? practical? not in the least. this is the case for 85% of the labor force in the US. it has all but left major cities and what remains, is in small, rural areas outside any sort of diversified economy of scale to be able and leverage to just "go get another job elseware."
"I am not sure how it works in the US, but in EU you cannot lay off people who go on strike and sabotage your business. You have to pay them for the strike. You cannot replace them in order to keep your business running, the law allows them to terrorize you like that."
- and this way THE reason i said the EU might be a very aprpoe example as the very opposite is true in the US.
- employer CAN fire (unless union sues them AFTER the strike)
- pay while on strike? LOL
- not replace? FFS man, this is the US, you are as valuble to me until i see someone better tomorrow.in a nutshell then; corporate legal and tax structure put about 90% of advantage in the corporations favor, with nothing but time, money and resources to over come it- something the 'labor' class does not have any of, especially in the US now, or for years prior. it is a joke and really, if countries in a 'democracy' think their structure is bad from the perspective of the labor class, please come read/study even a very topical view of the US position and it will make that where you are pale in comparison. oh, and read some Marx and come back to the table- he had it correct and will always. ;)
- TheBlueOne0
I understand the dramas and sitcoms shutting down but Letterman and Leno? I was shocked..these guys can't even come up with 15 minutes of jokes on their own daily? Pussies.
I just read how Rachel Ray will continue production because she writes her own show. Rachel fucking Ray? But professional comedians like Leno and Letterman can't hang with Rachel fucking Ray?
Lame.
- TheBlueOne0
...and whoever was writing Leno's material should stay out on strike because they suck. And all this time I just thought it was Leno. He actually PAYS people to make him sound like a retard. Show business is amazing...
- mtgentry0
Yes capsize, how dare they demand their fair share of dvd revenues.
- capsize0
Is that kosher? I mean if teamsters went on strike and you shipped using the trains or muleteam wouldn't that be crossing the picket line in some way? Sure, someone's else pain is your opportunity and this fine empire requires the sentiment but isn't this more than a management issue?
J'accuse! I'm not watching Dan rather anymore! I've had it.
- harlequino0
Writers for "The Office" discussing the strike.
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/…For gods sake, the networks already have it figured out the % that should be going to writers and other talent in residuals for web and DVD. Quit stalling and fucking pay, assholes.
- flashbender0
considering the pure awesomeness that came out of the last strike (Reality TV), I can;t wait to see what wonderful fruit of entertainment this strike bears. I'm hoping it somehow involves boobies.
- mg330
Leno is for the formaldehyde crowd laying around in their deteriorating bodies.
I figured Letterman would just keep on going. His monologue is so short anyways.
I figured he'd keep going since Leno WAS NOT. I'd rather watch a current program than a re-run.
From the sound of things Jimmy Kimmell is still going to be live.
- Jaline0
and apparently it's not that the 'comedians' can't write their own jokes, but they prefer not to as a show of solidarity with the writers.
paraselene
(Nov 8 07, 01:02)yes, I think this goes for a lot of the involved parties.
Some people refuse to cross picket lines, while others also want to show their support.
- jevad0
This is pretty much the best thing to happen to America for a very long time...long may it continue
- harlequino0
Watch networks turn to brands and agencies to provide content.
Hah, like that could ever happen.
Hahahahah
Haha, heh, heh, huhhh...Oh shit.
