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Support Striking “Top Model” Writers

I get a lot of press releases for activist campaigns of various kinds. Having worked for years as a writer and editor at a lefty mag like Utne, that should come as no surprise. I’m in many a progressive PR flack’s Rolodex.

Most of them go straight to the trash. But this one from United Students Against Sweatshops made me chuckle. So does this mean we can add “union buster” to the list of busty hostess Tyra Banks’ accomplishments?

From: organize [at] usasnet.org
Subject: Tell America’s Next Top Model to support its writers
Date: September 11, 2006 7:42:03 PM CDT

Dear Leif Utne,

As you may know and have seen on the news, the writers of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) are on strike and need your support. So, take a few minutes of your day and show the writers some support by telling their bosses that they deserve the right to form a union.

The writers do not receive any health care coverage, pension benefits, or residuals for their work on ANTM, unlike writers who are covered by the Writers Guild (union).

The writers unanimously requested that ANTM producers recognize their request to be represented by the Writers Guild of America, west and begin to negotiate on July 12, 2006. The show producers have refused to honor the writers’ request and negotiate with the union. On Friday, July 21, 2006, the 12 writers unanimously launched a strike to achieve union rights.

So, take a few minutes of your day and show the writers some support by telling their bosses that they deserve the right to form a union.

You can take action on this alert either via email or via the web at:
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/antm_strike/6bgb7brq7xn6d8?

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/antm_strike/forward/6bgb7brq7xn6d8?

We encourage you to take action by October 7, 2006

I don’t mean to make light of the ANTM writers’ plight. They deserve support, as do unions generally. Please take a moment to take the action above.