WGA wants strike authorization

It's still a long way off from a walkout (remember the supermarket workers), but seeking member approval to call a strike is certain to ratchet up the tension, especially coming three days before negotiations are set to resume. A strike authorization vote is just that - the guild leadership would be given the leverage to call for a walkout. Variety story is here. The rank-and-file is almost certain to vote yes, but Craig Mazin at The Artful Writer is conflicted about how to vote.

There are two reasons to call an SAV at a time like this, with a deeply stalemated negotiation. First, you call an SAV so that you can get your membership out on the picket line immediately following the deal’s expiration. Call this the “I’m taking my gun out of the holster because I plan on shooting you” reason. Second, you call an SAV as a strategy, in the hope that the added pressure and (presumed) show of support from the rank-and-file will turn the heat up on the other side, forcing them to come across the gap to try in good faith to make a deal. Call this the “I’m taking my gun out of the holster to show you that I have a gun” reason. So which is it this time? And should you vote yes? I’m deeply conflicted on this. If I had to guess, I’d say this move is a tactic rather than a required step leading to a fait accompli. If the vote comes back strong, it really does embolden the union, and it should certainly rattle the AMPTP. Destabilization is required to break a stalemate.

For weeks, even months, it's been assumed that the guild would continue working off the expiring contract until the SAG contract runs out next year. But it's often hard to predict how these things will unfold. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (the bargaining arm of the studios and networks) and the WGA have held five days of bargaining since July with no progress to speak of - and lots of finger-pointing.