TV & VIDEO - March 28, 1988

A letter sent to striking Writers Guild of America members Friday said the union will begin bargaining with independent producers, thus reversing its earlier stance. Attorneys for several independent production companies “used the magic words (labor law provisions) in letters which obligate us to bargain in good faith with those companies,” the letter stated. Companies seeking independent contracts include Our Prod. Co., parent company to “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” and Carson Prod., whose “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night With David Letterman” have been particularly hard hit by the strike, now in its fourth week. In a related story, sources on both sides of the strike say guild executive director Brian Walton last week informally contacted Nicholas Counter of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television on the possibility of reopening negotiations. Counter was said to be out of town and has not yet responded.