LOS ANGELES (AP) - 0210dv--michael--moore
The Writers Guild of America moved swiftly Sunday toward a resolution of its three-month-old strike, with guild leaders deciding to recommend the contract to members and ask them to vote on a quick end to the walkout.
Membership meetings will be held Tuesday in New York and Los Angeles to allow writers to decide whether the strike should be brought to a speedy end, said Patric Verrone, president of the guild's West Coast branch.
The union's negotiating committee also recommended the contract be accepted, and the West branch's board of directors and the East Coast unit's council agreed. They called for a membership ratification vote, which will be conducted by mail over about two weeks.
By asking writers to vote separately and quickly on whether to lift the guild's strike order, the union would allow the entertainment industry to return to work immediately.
Member approval of the contract and an end to the strike appeared likely.
At heavily attended membership meetings Saturday in New York and Los Angeles, there was resounding support for the proposed deal that could put TV and movie production back on track, salvage the rest of the TV season and remove a boycott threat from this month's Oscars.
AP Movie Writer David Germain contributed to this report.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Writers Guild of America moved swiftly Sunday toward a resolution of its three-month-old strike, with guild leaders voting unanimously to ask members to decide on ratifying the contract and ending the walkout.
Membership meetings will be held Tuesday to allow writers to decide whether the strike should be brought to an immediate end, said Patric Verrone, president of the guild's West Coast branch.
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