Posted on 11/21/2007 6:30:07 PM PST by Libloather
CBS strike could put debate in disarray
By: Jeffrey Ressner and Michael Calderone
Nov 21, 2007 02:41 PM EST
A strike authorized by CBS News writers this week could throw the “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation” and a network-sponsored Democratic presidential debate on Dec. 10 into disarray.
While the Writers Guild of America has not yet called for such a strike against the network’s TV and radio news operations, it now has the authorization to do so at any time.
Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, all said Wednesday they would not cross a picket line to appear at the CBS debate, with Clinton issuing a statement which said, in part, “It is my hope that both sides will reach an agreement that results in a secure contract for the workers at CBS News, but let me be clear: I will honor the picket line if the workers at CBS News decide to strike.”
Spokesmen for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd also said those candidates would not participate.
The Writers Guild of America, East issued this statement in response to Wednesday's statements issued by Edwards, Clinton and Obama.
“We are thrilled by the strong support we’ve received today from presidential candidates John Edwards, Hilary [sic] Clinton and Barack Obama. We are grateful to John Edwards for his decision that he and Elizabeth will not ... appear on 'The View' next week, in support of our striking writers there. In addition, his, Hilary [sic] Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s public commitment not to cross potential picket lines at CBS News, should our WGA-CBS News members go on strike in the near future, sends a powerful message that our members' cause is just and important. They have given us more reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving. We hope everyone follows their leads.”
After the candidates announced their intentions not to cross picket lines, CBS issued a statement saying, "We are going ahead with our plans for the debate and hope the WGA — in the interests of the American public — will pull down the pickets for the period of the debates." Although the WGA East has not yet called for a strike against CBS News, the WGA West's members striking against TV and movie companies have already been picketing the network's studio facility on Beverly Boulevard, where the debate is scheduled to take place.
In a later statement, the WGA said Michelle Obama is also canceling an upcoming appearance on "The View."
CBS declined to discuss debate contingency plans if a strike is called, but it’s likely the debate would be cancelled or postponed if the top three candidates bow out.
According to a “60 Minutes” producer who requested anonymity, the debate may not go on as scheduled, but the news operation will continue. “CBS News wouldn’t hire scabs per se,” he said, “but if there was a strike, they would call in middle-management types, bureau chiefs and other network executives, to write copy. A lot of them got their start as news writers, and God knows there are a lot of them sitting around doing nothing. The sad thing is, no one at home would probably know the difference.”
CBS says it is “fully prepared and ready to continue producing the highest-quality news programming for our viewers” should a strike be called.
Network execs speaking on background said debate specifics were still being discussed with the Democratic National Committee.
They also said that CBS has “planned accordingly” for “Face the Nation” to continue in the event of a strike, and that “60 Minutes” wouldn’t be impacted since most writing is done by producers and non-WGA-covered staffers.
The WGA-CBS battle has been going on for more than two years, with wage packages, merger clauses and other factors causing negotiation blues.
The CBS News situation is different from the current strike called by the WGA three weeks ago, which has severely impacted the movie and television industries.
So far, pickets and work stoppages in that strike have seen several new movies postponed as well as the disruption of late-night talk shows, daytime soap operas and prime-time programming. CBS News writers are also covered by WGA, but under a different contract.
Aside from the previously mentioned programs, CBS News also oversees “The Early Show,” “48 Hours,” “Up to the Minute,” the “Saturday Early Show,” “CBS News Weekend Edition” and “CBS News Sunday Morning.”
In its statement regarding the authorization vote, the network commented, “It is unfortunate that our WGA news writers have voted to authorize a strike. The offer we presented nearly a year ago was fair and reasonable and remains on the table.”
The WGA’s CBS members working in television and radio in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington have been working under an expired contract since April 2005 and without pay raises since April 2004.
If a work stoppage were called, all-news radio stations, including Los Angeles’ KNX-AM (1070) and KFWB-AM (980), Chicago’s WBBM-AM and New York’s 1010 WINS and WCBS-AM, would probably be affected most, since much of their unionized staff writes the news copy, and the stations must fill airtime 24/7.
Bigger television shows, such as the “CBS Evening News With Katie Couric,” has only three news writers as well as several graphic artists covered under the WGA contract. Couric herself is not a WGA member but belongs to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
A twofer. Thanksgiving AND Christmas come early this year...
Hillary is going to use this as and excuse to close the bunker door and wait for the primary. She will say “I wanted to debate my challengers, but I refuse to cross the picket line!”.
Considering the fact that the strike will likely be over by then it’s a pretty safe bet for the democrats.
You’re right. They will play this for all its worth, saying that republicans will cross a picket line.
Can’t debate without writers?? Gee, that sounds a little phony to me.
Can we be so lucky as to have all the MSM networks go on strike permanently?
how can the planet survive?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Well, you have do have to wonder how they'll come up with scripted questions without script writers.
Fox is still open for business - no? (Are the RATS that chicken?)
1) The unions ain't gonna let picketers be within miles of CBS on that day.
2) This is all silliness....
Sounds like CBS management could just lock the writers out and end up with a more efficient operation.
Very telling. No wonder he requested anonymity. The CBSuits are probably trying to weed this 'ingrate' out right now. Corporate Chaos ensues ........
Hitlery can’t debate anyone without her “plants” in the audience and a “coach” telling her what lies to spew.
ROVE!!!!!! (for old times sake)
Interesting....
“While the Writers Guild of America has not yet called for such a strike against the network’s TV and radio news operations, Hillary Clinton says it now has the authorization to do so at any time.”
Needed a little ‘correction’.
The last time there was a writer's strike, there were fewer people with cable TV or satellite dishes, and thus, fewer program options. Fewer people had a VCR to rent movies to watch instead, and they were relatively expensive compared to today's prices. It was also well before the Internet, and unionized writers had a bigger stranglehold over what people used to entertain themselves with.
I expect that the networks give this "guild" the PATCO treatment as they writhe in their death spiral.
And, there was a question whether Kennedy was going to take his orders from the Vatican!
Yeah, like the Hollywood writers strike, it’s one of those conflicts where there’s no good guys or bad guys—just a bunch of as*holes.
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