LOS ANGELS (CelebrityAccess) Abrams Artists, a 65-agent talent agency, has told The Hollywood Reporter that it has offered to abide by key Writers Guild of America terms and will not seek or accept packaging fees and not to engage in affiliate production of the guild will allow its members to again be represented by the agency.
“I’m trying to do the right thing for my clients and employees,” Abrams chairman Adam Bold told THR. The decision would make Abrams the first mid-level agency to reopen for writing business if the guild accepts. In doing so, the agency breaks ranks with the Association of Talent Agents. The 30-agent Verve signed the WGA’s new Code of Conduct but that agency is not an ATA member, according to THR.
“It appears that this impasse will take a while to resolve itself,” Gold said. “Meanwhile, let’s get back to work. I’m trying to do the right thing for my clients and employees.”
The WGA filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in April; it claims the agencies violated state and federal laws by taking packaging fees on televisions shows that the practice. Although it is a longstanding practice, WGA claims it is unconstitutional kickbacks in violation of the Taft-Hartley Act, which makes it unlawful for employers “to pay, lend, or deliver, or agree to pay, lend, or deliver, any money or other thing of value … to any representative of any of his employees who are employed in an industry affecting commerce.”
h/t The Hollywood Reporter
