Use caution…no I’m not referring to those of you who are celebrating the Giants AMAZING win (hey, I’m a New Yorker) nor am I suggesting you be wary of the polls about Super Tuesday (this is worth reading). But, we should be cautious about believing that the strike by the Writers Guild of America may end this week with a settlement.

    There are lots of media reports about a supposed settlement. The Los Angles Times had this yesterday:

The tentative deal came after two weeks of talks that culminated in a marathon bargaining session Friday that was attended by News Corp. President Peter Chernin, Walt Disney Chief Executive Robert A. Iger and Writers Guild of America negotiators David Young, Patrick M. Verrone and John F. Bowman.

Progress had been made in previous meetings on payment for work sold online, but Friday’s session saw a breakthrough on the most contentious issue: compensation for the free streaming of films and TV programs over the Internet.

Representatives of the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, declined to comment, citing a media blackout.

    The deal made by the Directors Guild apparently is the template. But, like yours truly, a lot of people thought the Directors caved and gave the producers too good a deal. So, the rumored deal is supposed to be better for writers:

    The directors’ deal, however, stirred a debate among striking writers. Many complained that the directors’ contract offered meager residuals on shows that were streamed free on advertising-supported websites. Another criticism was that the directors’ deal limited the union’s jurisdiction over shows created for the Web at a time when online entertainment is burgeoning.

That complaint was echoed a few days ago by the Screen Actors Guild, whose leaders publicly disparaged the directors’ contract.

On Friday, however, studios offered some key concessions to ease those concerns and keep the talks on track. Those included more favorable pay terms for streaming than those offered to directors. Studios also offered "separated rights" provisions for shows created for the Web, ensuring, for example, that writers would receive extra compensation and credit for online shows that spawn TV pilots, two people close to the talks said.   

    The rumors may be true but…as the Guild leaders wrote:

To Our Fellow Members,

While fully mindful of the continuing media blackout, we write you to address the rumors and reports that undoubtedly you have been hearing.

The facts: we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract. When and if a tentative agreement is reached, the first thing we will do is alert our membership with an e-mail message. Until then, please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms.

Until we have reached an agreement with the AMPTP, it is essential that we continue to show our resolve, solidarity, and strength.

Picketing will resume on Monday. Our leverage at the bargaining table is directly affected by your commitment to our cause. Please continue to show your support on the line. We are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone

President, WGAW

Michael Winship

President, WGAE

    And, as anyone who has been through a strike knows, it there is a tentative deal in the works, a lot could ride on the exact language that is being worked out. In the meantime, keep going to those picket lines.

    P.S. Does the Giants Super Bowl win hurt any New Yorker running in Massachusetts because those depressed Patriot fans will want to take it out on someone? Or do Patriots fans even vote?