Timeline of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike

This is a timeline of events related to the 100-day Writers Guild of America strike that began on Monday, November 5, 2007, and ended on February 12 2008.

2006

November

November 26

The Writers Guild of America announce that they are starting negotiations during Summer 2007. [cite web |url=http://amptp.org/news/tvw112706.html |title=WGA Scripts 'De-Facto Strike' |accessdate=2008-02-05 |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2006-11-27 |publisher="TV Week"]

2007

May

May 14–17

NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and The CW announce their 2007 fall schedules at the annual upfront presentations.cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a46531/americas-tv-networks-announce-2007-08-lineups.html |title=America's TV networks announce 2007-08 lineups |accessdate=2008-02-06 |last=Welsh |first=James |date=2007-05-14 |publisher="Digital Spy"] These schedules have heavy amounts of reality programming due to debut midseason in preparation for the writers strike.cite web |url=http://www.friendscb.org/News/Friends_News/archives/articles05150703.asp |title=NBC's fall lineup includes backup plans |accessdate=2008-02-06 |last=James |first=Meg |coauthors=Verrier, Richard |date=2007-05-15 |publisher="Los Angeles Times"]

July

July 16

The WGA and the AMPTP begin negotiations only to abruptly end within a few days. [cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963478.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |title=Top bosses plot to prevent strike |accessdate=2008-02-05 |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=2007-04-19 |publisher="Variety"]

eptember

eptember 19

The WGA and AMPTP resume negotiations which last until October 7.

October

October 22

Leaders and members of the Writers Guild of America, West and Writers Guild of America, East meet to authorize a possible strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers if negotiations over a new contract break down. 90.3% of the guild vote to authorize picket lines. [ [http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/tv-writers-edging-toward-a-strike/ TV Writers Edging Toward a Strike - TV Decoder - Media & Television - New York Times Blog ] ]

October 25

Negotiations resume again between the Writers' Guild and the producers.

October 31

The current WGA contracts with AMPTP expires. []

November

November 1

Talks between the WGA and AMPTP at the Los Angeles Convention Center break down after a week of negotiations [ [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/their-entire-st.html A line in the sand : Show Tracker : Los Angeles Times ] ] .

November 2

WGAE and WGAW announces that the strike would begin at 12:01 AM on November 5. [cite news |first=Dave |last=McNary |coauthors=Cynthia Littleton |title=Writers call for strike: Union producers to resume talks Sunday |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975256.html?categoryid=10&cs=1 |publisher=Variety |date=2007-11-02 |accessdate=2007-11-06 ] cite video
url=http://www.wga.org/videos/strike_announcement.html
publisher=Writers Guild of America
title = Presidents' (sic) announce WGA strike
format=embedded video]

November 4

In a last-ditch conciliation to try to avoid the strike, the WGA temporarily withdrew its DVD proposal, but the companies still insisted on a lack of residual for new media. [cite news |title=Contract 2007 Negotiations Statement |url=http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2540 |publisher=Writers of Guild of America, West |date=2007-11-04 |accessdate=2007-11-06 ] Talks subsequently broke down, with both sides accusing the other of walking out. [cite web
url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/deals-lies-backchannelling-why-this-is-a-bigger-mess-now-than-ever-before/
title=Deals, Lies & Backchannelling: Why This Is A Bigger Mess Now Than Ever Before
publisher=LA Weekly
work=Deadline Hollywood Daily
format=blog
first=Nikki |last=Finke
accessdate=2007-11-04]

November 5

Strike activity officially begins at 12:01 AM PST (WGAw) and 5:32 AM EST (WGAe). Immediately, all late night talk and variety shows go into reruns.

November 8

Some 4,000 writers picket outside Fox Plaza, home to 20th Century Fox studios. [ [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6499162.html STRIKE COVERAGE: WGA Sets Major Rally Friday Morning at Fox Plaza - 11/8/2007 11:40:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable ] ]

November 9

SAG-member actors and Teamsters join the picket lines.

November 10

The first strike induced rerun of "Saturday Night Live" airs (Host:Jon Bon Jovi; Music: Foo Fighters).

November 14

WGAW president Patric Verrone and Screen Actors Guild president Alan Rosenberg traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and regulators about the unions' position on new media.cite news
url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976000.html?categoryid=2821
title=Verrone, Rosenberg go to D.C.: Duo meet lawmakers on strike matters
date=2007-11-14
first=William|last=Triplett
publisher=Variety]

November 16

2008 US Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards appeared in person to picket and speak with the writers outside NBC Studios in Burbank, California. [ [http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/rally-friday-at.html Scribe Vibe: Variety's WGA Strike Blog: Rally Friday at NBC Burbank, featuring John Edwards ] ]

November 26

Leaders of the WGA and AMPTP resume negotiations.

November 28

A Democratic Presidential debate moderated by CBS News that was to be held in Los Angeles, California on December 10, was cancelled on due to candidate boycott. [cite news
url=http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2864134420071129
title=Democratic presidential debate canceled over strike
date=2007-11-28
first=Steve|last=Gorman
publisher=Reuters] A Democratic Presidential debate moderated by CNN was substituted and was held at the Kodak Theater on January 29.

November 29

AMPTP submits a new proposal to the WGA, reportedly worth an additional $130 million in compensation. The WGA responded that it did not understand how the $130 million figure had been calculated, but was pleased the AMPTP was proposing figures in that range. Both sides agreed to a four-day recess at the WGA's request. Talks were resumed on December 4.

December

December 4

"Last Call with Carson Daly" became the first late night talk show to resume production during the strike stating that the only reason the show resumed production was that he was given the option to either return or have the show's 75 non-striking staff members be fired. [cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21998343 |publisher=MSNBC |title="Carson Daly to defy writers strike" |accessdate=2007-12-30 |date=2007-11-27 ] [cite web |url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/accusation-carson-daly-seeks-scabs |title="WGA Scolds Carson Daly For Returning 'To Support Staff' And Seeking Scab Jokes" |accessdate=2007-12-14 |author=Nikki Finke |publisher=Deadline Hollywood Daily |date=2007-11-27 ]

December 7

Talks between the WGA and AMPTP fall apart again as result of WGA's push for reality television proposals. [cite web
url = http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/judge-amptps-ultimatum-for-yourself/
title = Judge AMPTP's Ultimatum For Yourselves
accessdate = 2008-01-14
publisher = Deadline Hollywood Daily] This move had been predicted by reporter Nikki Finke and others, many of whom suspect the AMPTP is intentionally delaying negotiations so that it may terminate unwanted production contracts via force majeure. [cite web
url = http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/12/nikki-finke-is-clairvoyant-or-maybe.html
title = Nikki Finke is Clairvoyant -- or Maybe the Playbook is Just Too Obvious
accessdate = 2008-01-14
publisher = United Hollywood.com - at Blogspot] According to Wall Street, the impact of accepting all of WGA's proposals are "largely negligible" and "financially small", suggesting that the studios are afraid that reaching a favorable settlement with the writers might "embolden directors and actors in their coming renegotiations."]

December 11

The WGA grants a waiver to allow striking writers to write material for the 14th Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 27.

December 17

Entertainment television production comes to a standstill. [ [http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/strike-ends-most-scripted-tv-work/ Strike Ends Most Scripted TV Work - TV Decoder - Media & Television - New York Times Blog ] ]

Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien have announced that following the collapse of negotiations, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" would return to air on January 2, 2008 without writers, citing their non-writing staff facing layoffs as the main reason.cite news |first=Nikki |last=Finke |authorlink=Nikki Finke |title=WGA Reminds Returning Jay And Conan: No Monologues |url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-reminds-returning-jay-conan-dont-write-monologues/ |work=Deadline Hollywood Daily |publisher=L.A Weekly |date=2007-12-17 |accessdate=2007-12-19 ] cite news |first=Nikki |last=Finke |authorlink=Nikki Finke |title=WGA Scolds Carson Daly For Returning 'To Support Staff' And Seeking Scab Jokes |url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/accusation-carson-daly-seeks-scabs/ |work=Deadline Hollywood Daily |publisher=L.A. Weekly |date=2007-11-27 |accessdate=2007-12-19 ]

December 18

The WGAw denies waivers granting permission for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to use Guild writers for the 65th Golden Globe Awards telecast on NBC. The guild also denied a waiver requested by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences granting excerpts of films and previous award ceremonies to be shown for the 80th Academy Awards on ABC.

December 19

Jimmy Kimmel also announces that his talk show would go on the air with new episodes without writers on January 2 citing layoffs of 87 staff members if no work is implemented immediately. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/business/media/19strike.html?ref=media Jimmy Kimmel to Return to Air Without Writers - New York Times ] ]

December 20

The WGAw grants a waiver granting permission for Film Independent to use Guild writers for the Independent Spirit Awards held on February 23 [ [http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-allows-writers-on-indie-spirit-awards/ Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily » WGA Allowing Writers On Indie Awards ] ]

December 28

The WGAe and Worldwide Pants, David Letterman's independent production company, announced an "interim agreement" with the WGA. This agreement allows his talk show and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" to return to air with writers during the strike under terms contained in the WGA's previously-rejected proposals to the AMPTP on January 2.

2008

January

January 2

NBC late night talk shows "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and ABC late night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" return with new episodes but with no writers. CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" return with writers. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7164033.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Letterman to return with writers ] ] Despite a minor decline, "The Tonight Show" wins over the "Late Show" in Nielsen ratings over the remaining strike period, despite the latter's advantage with writers and primarily A-list (SAG-member) celebrities and Leno having no writers and somewhat less known (non-SAG member) people or actors visiting the show.

January 3

The Directors Guild of America and the AMPTP hold informal meetings over the directors' expiring contract. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=4083583 ABC News: Studios and directors begin informal contract talks ] ]

2008 US Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee signs on as guest on the January 7 episode of "Late Show" in response to being lambasted by the show's host David Letterman for appearing on rival "The Tonight Show" a day earlier.

January 4

The WGA accuses Jay Leno of breaking strike activity by pre-writing material; NBC defends Leno stating the he has the right to create material for himself on the show. Disciplinary action by the WGA has not yet surfaced against Leno. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gHYNzEcZSMpqnA03CsL64Wab_yfQD8UPNRT80] Dead link|date=March 2008] [ [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i017145c042c6beda8362cbf49ef7964d WGA maintains hard line on Leno ] ]

January 7

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and NBC announce that plans for the exclusive telecast for the 65th Golden Globe Awards were scrapped. Instead a press conference open to all media outlets will be held announcing the winners. The WGA in response promises not to picket their event.cite news |first=Nikki |last=Finke |authorlink=Nikki Finke |title=CONFIRMED! NBC Cancels Golden Globes Newscast Exclusivity; No WGA Picketing When Foreign Press Announce Winners |url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/confirmed-nbc-cancels-globes-newscast/ |work=Deadline Hollywood Daily |publisher=L.A. Weekly |date=2008-01-11 |accessdate=2008-01-11 ]

"The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report", return without writers. [cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8TLG11G1|title=Stewart, Colbert Returning to the Air|publisher=The Associated Press|date=2007-12-21|accessdate=2007-12-21]

WGA announces it had made an interim agreement with legendary United Artists Films.

January 13

The press conference announcing the winners of the 65th Golden Globe Awards is held. The telecast plummeted in the ratings from 16.0 for the full ceremony in 2007 to 4.7 for the press conference in 2008, fourth (and last) among major networks that night. [cite news| first=Geri |last=Miller |title=Bare Bones Golden Globes a Ratings Loser |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20171600,00.html |work=People Online |publisher=People Magazine |date=2008-01-14]

January 15

The WGAw announces that it has granted a waiver to the NAACP for writers to work on the Image Awards. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=4139970 ABC News: Grammys Seek Use of Striking Writers ] ]

January 17

Though pending ratification, a deal is reached between the DGA and AMPTP, re-fueling action to resume negotiations between the AMPTP and the striking WGA [ [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4151238 ABC News: Hollywood directors reach deal with studios: source ] ]

January 22

As nominations for the 80th Academy Awards are announced, the WGA and AMPTP resume informal talks. [ [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fi-striketime12feb12,1,6726438.story Strike timeline - Los Angeles Times ] ] WGA President Patric Verrone announces that the animation and reality jurisdiction proposals had been dropped.

January 23

The WGAw announces that its members have voted against picketing the 50th Grammy Awards on CBS; thereby allowing SAG member musicians and actors to attend the ceremony. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=4175732 ABC News: Guild, Studios Agree to Informal Talks ] ]

January 25

WGA announces it had made an interim agreement with Lions Gate and Marvel Studios. However, the AMPTP has commented on these types of agreements as "meaningless", although talks between them and WGA are to continue over the weekend and many critics believe the strike can be over within two weeks.]

January 29

WGAw granted a waiver to National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences permitting guild members to write material for the Grammy Awards. [ [http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=325727&z=7 Writers Union Gives OK for Grammy Awards] , "Post-Bulletin", January 29, 2008]

February

February 3

Various media outlets report that the WGA and AMPTP have made progress between talks including "New York Times" [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/business/media/02cnd-writers.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin Progress Toward Ending Writers’ Strike - New York Times ] ] ] , "TV Guide" [cite web|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|title=Exclusive: 'Grey's', 'Housewives' Plot Post-Strike Returns|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Greys-Anatomy/800032401|work=TV Guide|date=2008-02-03|accessdate=2008-02-05] , and NBC News [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#22982230 MSNBC - Front Page ] ] . One website, Deadlinehollywooddaily.com reported that Peter Chernin had told fellow Super Bowl XLII attendees and FOX personnel and sports reporters at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona that "the strike is over." [ [http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/chernin-tells-super-bowl-pals-strike-is-over Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily » Chernin Tells Super Pals “Strike Is Over” ] ]

February 5

Writer Joss Whedon denies any report that the WGA and AMPTP have reached an agreement. In a statement on pro-WGA blog United Hollywood, Whedon states:

cquote2|This is not over. Nor is it close. Until the moment it is over, it can never be close. Because if we see the finish line we will flag and they are absolutely counting on us to do that. In the room, reason. On the streets, on the net, I say reason is for the 'moderates'. Remember what they've done. Remember what they're trying to take from us. FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.|Joss Whedon, February 5, 2008 [ [http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/from-joss-whedon-do-not-adjust-your.html United Hollywood: From Joss Whedon: Do Not Adjust Your Mindset ] ]
medium=TV-Show | publisher=NBC | quotewidth=30px | quoteheight=30px

February 8

Chief media executive and former Disney president and CEO Michael Eisner prematurely announces on CNBC's "Fast Money" that a deal has been made between writers and producers. [ [http://www.cnbc.com/id/23057002 Writers' Strike Eisner - Media * US * News * Story - MSNBC.com ] ]

February 9

WGA President Verrone emailed the membership at 4:44 AM PST announcing that the WGA leadership and AMPTP had officially reached a tentative deal. The tentative contract proposals were provided to the membership, and a meeting to discuss them as well as future process is scheduled the same day on both coasts. The first deal discussion meeting for WGAE's members, which took place at 2:00 P.M. EST in New York City,] A second meeting for the WGAW was held at the Shrine Auditorium at 7:00 PST. Writers applaud the new deal and proclaim that their strike was a successful effort. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020802592.html Writers Applaud Deal with Stuidos] , "Washington Post", February 10, 2008]

February 10

The Writer's Guild of America initiated a 48 hour vote to guild members on making a motion on ending the three-month old strike. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080212/ap_en_mo/hollywood_labor_83 Writers Voting on Ending Strike] , "Yahoo!", February 12, 2008]

The 50th Grammy Awards take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California

February 11

Showrunners return to work.]

February 12

Both branches of the Writers' Guild vote to decide on whether to lift the restraining order imposed by the strike. Voting for the WGAE ends at 7:00 PM EST while the WGAw held voting from 2:00 PM PST until 6:00 PM PST. At a 6:51 PM PST press conference, WGA President Patric Verrone announces that 92.5% of all Writers' Guild members elected to lift the restraining order, therefore declaring the picket lines closed. [ [http://wga.org/ Writers Guild of America, West ] ] [cite web |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2008/02/wgas-press-rele.html
title=WGA's press release announcing strike ending |publisher=Variety |date=2008-02-14 |accessdate=2008-02-14] Verrone pledges that writers will create material for the 80th Academy Awards and invited actors are free to attend the ceremony.

February 13

Writers return to work for television programs.

All late night talk shows including "The Tonight Show", "The Daily Show", and "The Colbert Report", return with writers. [cite web |url=http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/putting-the-back-in-the-daily-show/ |title=Putting The Back in The Daily Show |publisher=The New York Times |date=2008-02-14 |accessdate=2008-02-14]

February 23

"Saturday Night Live" airs first post-strike episode with guest host, Tina Fey. [ [http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/tina-fey-to-host-first-post-strike-episode-of-snl/ Tina Fey To Host First Post-Strike Episode of SNL - TV Decoder - Media & Television - New York Times Blog ] ] Fey is a former head writer on "SNL" and currently works as a creator/actress/producer/writer on "30 Rock".

February 24

The 80th Academy Awards took place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California with Jon Stewart presiding over hosting duties.

February 26

Both branches of the Writers Guild ratify by a 93.6% majority, a three-year deal that would last until May 1, 2011. [ [http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2781 e-mail 2-26-08 ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fi-striketime12feb12,1,6726438.story Writers Guild of America Strike Timeline] provided by "Los Angeles Times"
* [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20177816,00.html Writers' Strike Timeline] by "Entertainment Weekly".
* [http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/the-100-day-writers-strike-a-timeline/ The 100-Day Writers' Strike: A Timeline] by "The New York Times".