Tyler Perry to Allow Union Writers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/27/arts/television/27arts-TYLERPERRYTO_BRF.html?ref=arts

By BRIAN STELTER; Compiled by Dave Itzkoff
Published: November 26, 2008

The production company owned by the actor and director Tyler Perry, below, will unionize its writing staff under an agreement announced Wednesday with the Writers Guild of America. The deal comes after five months of negotiations between the guild and Tyler Perry Studios. The company produces the television shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne” as well as feature films. Last month the guild staged protests outside Mr. Perry’s office in Atlanta and advised its members not to work for the company after the firing of four “House of Payne” writers who had sought union representation. Mr. Perry said his studio would work with the guild to “dramatically increase the number of minority writers working in Hollywood today.”

[Donnachaidh]

1. Did they re-hire the 4 they fired?

Just curious.

[Omaha Steve]

2. This is all I found so far, it doesn't soud like it

I thought a contract would have included that.

From the WGA: http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=3396

The contract with the WGA was the last union agreement outstanding for Tyler Perry Studios, which had previously brokered deals with the Teamsters, IATSE, SAG, DGA, and others. Acknowledging that some of the writers on the TBS series House of Payne and Meet the Browns will not be returning, Perry thanked them for their services and wished them well in their future endeavors.