When media companies suffer reduced income from traditional outlets as the result of the inevitable shift to distribution over the internet, writers will suffer along with them from diminished residuals. The cartel expects, however, to see increased income in some form from internet usage of its content. Why should everyone suffer from losses in existing categories but only management benefit from increases in other categories? The conglomerates are trying to use the shift to the internet [and fear of that shift] to improve its position vis a vis talent/labor. Talent wants mainly to preserve its existing position vis a vis management. The shift to the internet is not the only thing happening in the world of media. While uncertainty exists, long term trends indicate that income and profits have been consistently increasing. – Please remember that 20 years ago management used fear of a new technology [home video] to negotiate a deal that allowed them to rack up huge profits from income that it was later able to resist sharing. If media conglomerates do suffer in future, of course they will be able to renegotiate better terms. But why should labor have to subsidize and insure management against fears of the future that may not come to pass, or that may not come to pass within this 3-year contract term?
