WGA Seeks to Discipline Writers for Breaking Guild Rules During Strike
The recent disciplinary actions taken by the Writers Guild of America against four of its members have caused a stir within the organization. The accused writers, Edward John Drake, Roma Roth, Julie Bush, and Tim Doyle, are facing various punishments for allegedly violating guild rules during the 2023 strike.
Drake and Roth were the most severely punished, with the WGA West board voting to expel them from the guild. Bush received a temporary suspension and a lifetime ban on serving as a strike captain, while Doyle was publicly censured. All four members have appealed the disciplinary actions, with a vote on the appeals scheduled to take place online from May 6-9.
In their written appeals to the membership, the accused writers argued that they had been subjected to an unfair process and were unfairly targeted for punishment. Drake, in particular, expressed his fear of public shaming and the consequences for his career.
Drake, a writer-director of an independent film, “Guns Up,” was accused of engaging in “scab writing” during the strike and refusing to cooperate with guild investigators. Roth, a showrunner on the series “Sullivan’s Crossing,” was accused of continuing to work on the show during the strike. Bush was charged with working for a non-signatory company, while Doyle was censured for a controversial Facebook post.
Despite the appeals from the accused writers, the WGA board defended its decisions and emphasized the importance of upholding the rules of the guild. The board argued that the disciplinary actions were necessary to maintain solidarity among the membership and ensure that strike-breaking behavior is not tolerated.
Overall, the disciplinary actions taken by the Writers Guild of America have sparked debate within the organization and raised questions about the fairness of the process. The upcoming vote on the appeals will be crucial in determining the final outcome for the accused writers.
