The leadership of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) met May 8 and “voted unanimously to approve the terms of the proposed 2001 contract and to recommend that the 11,000 members of the guilds vote to ratify the contract.” The Guild announcement comes as no surprise, but it is a significant step in the process of formalizing the agreement with producers.

The Guild’s west coast board and east coast council met in a videoconference on May 8 to discuss the pact and vote on whether to send it to the 11,000 members of the union for ratification.

According to WGA’s statement, “Balloting materials will be mailed to members of the Writers Guild of America, East and west later this month. Sequoia Pacific will tally the votes for Writers Guild of America, west. Mail ballots must be received by Mon., June 4, 2001. Members also may vote by proxy or in person at a membership meeting scheduled for 7:30 PM on June 4 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Writers Guild of America, East will hold its membership meeting in New York City on June 4.

“The final ratification vote will be determined by a simple majority of the combined east-west votes. The Guild anticipates announcing the final tally on Tue., June 5.”

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is scheduled to commence its theatrical contract negotiations next week. —By Murdoch McBride