BRIEFCASE WGA TO MAKE BID FOR BIGGER DVD CUT.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

Television and film writers will push for a greater piece of the profits from DVDs and video releases in upcoming contract talks, as well as payments for unscripted reality shows that have put a lot of writers out of work.

The contract between the Writers Guild of America and producers expires next May.

The guild released its 2004 ``pattern of demands'' Monday, which will be sent to members for a vote and will serve as the basis for the negotiations.

The WGA notes that, over the past three years, box office receipts have risen by almost $2 billion. Sales of DVDs have soared from $1.4 billion four years ago to $11 billion last year, with writers receiving $18 million - or less than one-sixth of one percent, according to the guild.

The demands also include more money from growing cable networks, including UPN and the WB.

The producers called the list of demands a disaster waiting to happen.

No timetable for negotiations has yet been set. WGA members will vote on the pattern of demands next month.

Unions to watch cuts in staffing

Putting aside a decade of differences, California's two largest health-care unions are aligning to monitor the new staffing ratio law and confront state cuts in health-care services.

The Service Employees International Union and the California Nurses Association announced Monday that they would cooperate in legislative and policy arenas.