DISNEY - STRIKE SETTLED?

Rumors began circulating through the Internet over the weekend that a "breakthrough" had been achieved in negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. By late Sunday, the speculation had been picked up by several newspapers, wire services and trade publications, leading WGA officials to issue a message to their members saying, "Please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms. ... Picketing will resume on Monday. Our leverage at the bargaining table is directly affected by your commitment to our cause." The message did not spike the speculation about a settlement. The Los Angeles Times, citing three people close to the talks, reported that a final contract was likely to be presented to the WGA board as early as Friday. Likewise, the Associated Press and Daily Variety reported that a deal might be announced "within a week." Several reports credited the intervention of Disney CEO Robert Iger and News Corp CEO Peter Chernin for breaking the deadlock in the dispute, which has kept writers on the picket lines since last November.

04/02/2008