Striking writers await peace deal blueprint

THE striking Writers Guild of America says lawyers could complete a draft of a proposed deal with Hollywood studios by today.

The bargaining committee and boards of the East and West Coast guild chapters plan to review the proposal before sharing details tomorrow at membership meetings in New York and Los Angeles, said a person close to the situation.

In an email sent earlier this week to guild members, negotiations committee chief John Bowman said the guild would not make a formal decision on the proposed deal until after the membership meetings.

If writers like what they hear tomorrow, the closed-door meetings could be a major step towards a resolution of the three-month-old strike.

The walkout, which began on November 5, centres on the issue of compensation for content offered over the internet.

The outcome of the membership meetings could determine if TV networks will be able to salvage the remainder of the 2007-08 season and if the February 24 Academy Awards ceremony can proceed without pickets.