United Artists Reach Interim Pact with WGA

United Artists on Jan. 8 announced an interim bargaining agreement with the WGA, sparking speculation other indipendent film companies also might make deals with the guild.

Details of the pact weren't disclosed, just as with the interim contract the WGA reached last month with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants.

But in a joint release, the WGA and the MGM-owned UA said "the comprehensive agreement addresses the issues important to writers, including new media."

The WGA's industrywide negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers broke down in part over guild demands for greatly expanded compensation for new-media content, with the studios' organization offering only modest hikes.

The agreement means guild scribes can go back to work on UA film projects.
The agreement does not extend to MGM, but it does represent the first such deal with a film company. The parent studio issued a statement Monday criticizing the move.

"MGM understands the desire of United Artists to resume its business activities but respectfully disagrees with its decision to sign an interim agreement with the WGA," the UA parent said. "MGM remains committed to working with AMPTP member companies to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with the WGA that positions everyone in our industry for success in a rapidly changing marketplace."

Executives at such other indipendent film companies as the Weinstein Co. and Lionsgate are reportedly also considering similar interim pacts with the guild. The WGA has come up with an interim bargaining-agreement template and has faxed the proposal to several independent comapnies, with the understanding terms could be tweaked where necessary to fit individual situations.