playing catch up

After a relentless series of meetings with members and the BBC, today was spent catching up on the endless emails that seem, like the universe, to be ever quietly expanding. Meanwhile, the writers strike in America is providing an interesting diversion. The issue is one of residual rights and the fact that the Guild was stung previously when, according to the Economist; The writers agreed to a residual payment for DVDs of 0.3%, which translates into about four cents for each sale of a DVD—or one-tenth of what DVD-box manufacturers get.
So far, the strike seems to have had a powerful impact, with personalities and actors queuing up to lend support and many of the top shows off air. Working for a Union, I know that to any serious negotiator, a strike is a tool of last resort, however, when employers fail to listen to reason, then members sometimes have to exercise their will.