Showbiz unions clash over strike rule
In an untimely display of union infighting, the head of the alliance representing Hollywood's technical workers publicly rebuked the leaders of the Writers Guild of America, West on Thursday over proposed strike rules. Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, blasted a strike rule recently adopted by the guild that prohibits its members from starting work on new animated features once a strike begins, including those working under an agreement with another guild. Although the Writers Guild has contracts for prime-time animated TV shows including "The Simpsons," most animated features are covered under Animation Guild Local 839, which is part of Short's alliance.
See "Showbiz unions clash over strike rule", Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2007