The Writers Guild of America West’s discipline process is under scrutiny in a unionwide vote as the head of a union trial described the process as not being “fair and proper.”
Jill Goldsmith, who chaired the five-person trial committee, said despite the board unanimously recommending a suspension for writer Roma Roth for the alleged breaking of strike rules, the union’s Board of Directors instead decided to expel her, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Roth executive produces “Sullivan’s Crossing,” a Canadian television show broadcast in the U.S. by the CW, and allegedly wrote for the show without a union waiver in place. Nexstar Media Group is the parent company for both KTLA and the CW.
Goldsmith said the committee agreed that Roth broke union rules, but she claims union lawyers involved themselves in the discipline process and improperly tipped the scale toward a more severe punishment.
“I believe that before expelling a member and making a decision that can affect their life and livelihood, a proper process needs to be put in place,” Goldsmith wrote.
A spokesperson for Roth echoed those concerns.
“The outcome of these appeals will undoubtedly shape the standards by which the board operates moving forward,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Members must now decide what kind of system they want in place should they ever have to face a disciplinary hearing—one that is fair and impartial, or one that, as members of the trial committee pointed out, is inconsistent, flawed, and biased.”
The Guild told the Times that four members are appealing discipline rulings, and members are voting on those appeals this week.
The Hollywood Reporter identified the three other members as Julie Bush, Tim Doyle and Edward Drake.
Union member voting ends at 2 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday.
