Statement on WGAE Awards Event

The Writers Guild of America, East will honor the nominees and recipients of the 2008 WGA Awards at an informal reception to be held at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel on Saturday, February 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM."We have chosen to honor the nominees and recipients of our awards in the context of our ongoing strike against the studios and networks. This will be a simple event that will rally us together as a union, note the solidarity of our membership in difficult times and recognize the creativity and skill of our members that make our industry possible," said Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East."What's more, it should be noted that our Guild, East awards also recognize excellence in television and radio news and documentaries, programs that are written and produced under contracts separate from the MBA currently in dispute. Approximately a third of our members work under these separate contracts, including members at CBS News, ABC News and PBS. Recognizing their achievements as well as their commitment to and solidarity with their union colleagues is a vital part of our decision to hold this recognition reception."