November 2, 2007
The presidents of the Writers Guild of America West and
East, as well as the guild’s chief negotiator and negotiating committee
chairman, offered their thanks to the Teamsters for standing by them as they
face a general strike against motion picture and television producers.
“Thank you for your tremendous support,” the letter,
addressed to Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, states. “As our members
struggle through this difficult time, it is great comfort to have a union as
powerful as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on our side.”
The letter, dated November 1, went on to say:
"As you may know we have been working closely with IBT
Local 399 and Secretary-Treasurer Leo T. Reed to strengthen the solidarity
of our two unions. Mr. Reed and his staff at Local 399 have been brothers
and allies to our union in spite of the tremendous pressure from management
they face in doing so. In your statement today, you said ‘the genesis of any
production comes directly from the talented minds of these writers.’ We are
honored by this sentiment and compliment.
"In Hollywood, a union member couldn’t have a better
friend than a Teamster; they are the drivers, the location managers and the
casting directors, their commitment individually and as an institution to
fundamental trade union policies have earned them the utmost respect of
every WGA member.
"We have worked very hard over the past several years to
help educate our members and deepen their commitment to our union and to the
broader labor movement. The continuing support and brotherhood of the
Teamsters has made our job easier as they learn firsthand what solidarity
looks like.
"Today we are on the eve of a general strike and we know
that only a fellow unionist can understand the gravity of our circumstances.
Furthermore, we know that you share our great concern for every worker this
will impact. Please do not hesitate to call on your bothers and sisters at
the Writers Guilds of America if we can ever be of service to you or your
members."
The letter was signed by President of WGA West Patric M.
Verrone, President of WGA East Michael Winship, chief negotiator and executive
director of WGA West David Young and negotiating committee chairman John F.
Bowman.
Download letter from the Writers Guild to Teamsters General President Hoffa
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