WME and WGA Urged by Judge to Reach a Deal to End Writers’ Boycott
Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterA federal judge on Friday urged William Morris Endeavor and the Writers Guild of America to set aside their “egos” and come to an agreement that would end the 20-month writers’ boycott.WME has asked Judge Andre Birotte to order an end to the boycott, which the agency argues is an illegal abuse of the guild’s power as a labor organization. Birotte seemed reluctant to do that, and used the hearing mostly to urge the two sides to settle the case, noting that real people are suffering the consequences.“When I see all this back and forth, I have to ask the question: ‘C’mon folks, get together, get this done,'” Birotte said.WME is the sole major agency that has yet to reach an agreement with the union.