WGAW to vote on director McLean, 2 amendments
Status of exec director, life membership hangs in balance
The ballots, which are due by May 12, include two amendments to the guild's constitution, both affecting the status of members who are not "current," or full, voting guild members.
McLean assumed the job of exec director on March 1 after an 18-year stint as vice president of industrial relations at CBS. He replaced Brian Walton, who was ousted last summer after 13 years at the WGAW; he remains a consultant to the guild.
In an interview Thursday with Daily Variety, McLean said his task at the guild will be to "advance the economic rights of writers, and I feel very comfortable with that."
Medical insurance
Among his priorities, he said, is obtaining medical insurance for guild members who may have lost their benefits over a period of time because their earnings and, therefore, their contributions, have fallen below the minimum level required.
Referring to the prospect of a referendum that will either confirm his appointment or -- less likely -- send him packing, McLean said, "The guild is wonderful, the people are wonderful, but, let's face it, I'm on my honeymoon."
One of the proposed amendments would allow members in so-called "post-current" status to remain so indefinitely by paying an annual $75 service fee. Currently, the post-current option is limited to four years.
Life membership
The other amendment would eliminate the post-current and emeritus categories and grant membership for life to any writer who had ever qualified for current status.
If passed, 224 post-current members and 1,249 emeritus members would automatically regain current status, with full voting privileges in WGAW affairs. They would have to pay $100 in basic annual dues and 1.5% of any residuals received for life.
Currently, post-current and emeritus members pay no dues or portions of residuals.
