WGA LEADERS OK NEW CONTRACT RANK-AND-FILE ADVISED TO VOTE FOR HIKE IN PAY, CREATIVE CONTROL.

Byline: Jesse Hiestand Staff Writer

Leaders of the Writers Guild of America unanimously approved their new contract Tuesday and recommended members approve the $41 million in pay raises and increased creative control.

Results of the members' ballot are set to be released June 5 and require a simple majority for approval.

``I think this is a popular, popular deal and I don't think it's a surprise that it came down that way - unanimous,'' said veteran TV and film writer Lionel Chetwynd. ``That means we're still united and the guild has come through an enormous test.''

The WGA reached tentative agreement on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and major networks on Friday. It calls for increased upfront fees, residuals and greater input for writers in the filmmaking process.

Tuesday's vote was held by video conference between the board of the WGA West in Los Angeles and council of WGA East in New York City. It was not revealed how many of the combined 42 members cast ballots.

Ballots being mailed to the guild's 11,500 members must be returned by June 4, the same day members can also vote in person at meetings in Los Angeles and New York.

Also Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild said it will begin to negotiate its new contract with producers on May 15.

``If the AMPTP and networks are prepared as they have assured us they are to address the unique needs of actors, we are confident we can reach an agreement before June 30,'' when the current SAG contract expires, Krizman said.

SAG's demands will not be released until the talks begin, but are expected to include raises in video, cable and foreign residuals for the guild's 135,000 members.

AMPTP chief negotiator Nick Counter said he was optimistic a deal can be reached before the contract expires and has already held informal discussion with chief SAG negotiator Brian Walton.

``We're going to give our best shot at making a deal,'' Counter said.

Reaching a new WGA contract helped provide a template by getting studios and networks to compute the cost of residuals for writers, he said.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan gathered negotiators, union officials and small-business owners to celebrate the ``spirit of compromise'' that brought about the strike-averting WGA contract.

Over tamales, scrambled eggs and turkey bacon at the mayor's official residence in Hancock Park, Riordan sat with Counter, WGA Executive Director John McLean and Michael Mahern, a key negotiator for the writers.

Riordan did not get involved in the negotiations, opting instead to regularly publicize a city-funded strike impact study that estimated a five-month strike by writers and a three-month walkout by actors could cost Los Angeles County $6.9 billion in lost personal income and up to 81,900 jobs.

``The fact that all sides were very appreciative of what I did makes me think I did add something to the equation,'' Riordan said. ``We were there to keep perspective.''

On the Getty House back lawn, Riordan credited Counter and Mahern with helping bring about the deal.

``Effectively they are the people who, along with others involved, averted a strike that would have been detrimental to the city,'' Riordan said.

Counter said the mayor made people aware of the devastation awaiting small businesses in the event of a strike.

``That was very helpful and constructive,'' Counter said. ``While we have professional negotiators at the table, every once in a while you have to step back and look at the big picture.''

Mahern made no mention of Riordan's efforts and instead said last year's commercial actors strike inspired writers to take a tough stand in the recent talks. Riordan did not take a public stand in that strike.

``If AMPTP can meet the legitimate needs of actors there will be no actors strike this year,'' Mahern said.

Representatives of both the producers alliance and writers guild have said Riordan's campaign had no impact on the negotiations.

Some business owners whom Riordan used to illustrate the possible impact of a strike insisted he played a decisive role in resolving the crisis.

``Without it we might be in strike mode at the moment,'' said Harvey Schwartz, owner of a North Hollywood-based prop shop.

``We were very encouraged because Mayor Riordan recognized our plight and championed our cause,'' said florist Terry August.

``He put pressure on them to look at the big picture,'' said restaurant owner Patricia Casado, who expressed great relief that there will be no strike.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Florist Terry August presents Mayor Richard Riordan with a gift basket for his efforts in the writers talks.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer