WGAE ratifies ABC news pact

Guild says 96% of eligible voters endorsed pact

By DAVE MCNARY

HOLLYWOOD -- Members of the Writers Guild of America East have ratified a three-year deal with ABC covering 180 newsroom employees in New York and Washington, D.C.

The guild said 96% of eligible voters endorsed the pact, which calls for across-the-board salary increases of 3% each year, boosts in some fees and improvement in scheduling provisions and personnel benefits.

The WGA said it was able to preserve all current guild jobs at ABC. The employees had been working under an expired contract since Jan. 31.

"This contract is the culmination of long and difficult negotiations, and we are pleased that our members' jobs were secured," said Herbert Sargent, prexy of WGA East.