[Tig] Short blurb in Variety re: writer's strike on post houses

[Anders Uhl]

> When I think of "union" I think of traditionally mistreated blue
> collar occupations like coal mining and flying jumbo jets.  Can
> someone please fill me in as to why there is a writers union at all?

Because they want their piece of the pie and collective bargaining is  
a powerful tool.  Of course it is not the same as a coal miners union  
who fight for health and safety, they just want their fair share of  
the $$$.

It looks absurd from below, just like the baseball strikes (no pun) -  
it looks as though they are being greedy but really they are just  
asking for their due portion from those who are.. well, more greedy ;-)

It's also worth noting that in any "creative profession" (when you  
are not on staff) it can be very difficult to make a dependable  
living, so some protection is needed for the rank and file to ensure  
that their families are fed and mortgage paid.  Without that, very  
few people could afford to work those jobs.

Things are further complicated by the fact that rather than  
negotiating with studios and producers (who might at least have a  
small understanding of our crafts), the negotiations (or lack  
thereof) are with multinational corporations who can hardly be  
tickled by a strike, much less paralyzed.

Best Regards,

anders

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anders uhl
director cameraman
new york/philly