Writers Guild Votes to Ratify New Contract

Members of the Writers Guild of America voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract with producers. Out of 3,089 ballots counted, 80% voted to approve. Last year, an earlier agreement was shot down when members of the eastern faction of the guild voted against the pact. As part of the agreement, representatives of writers will negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in the future about residuals paid to writers when shows air abroad and on cable television.