Writers Guild gets new president

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- TV writer Michael Winship was named president of the Writers Guild of America East this week, taking control of the Hollywood group from Chris Albers.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday that with Albers not seeking re-election this year, Winship was chosen as his replacement after receiving 67.7 percent of members' votes this week.

The writer and producer, who once worked on PBS' "Now With Bill Moyers," said Friday that he would do all he can to meet the organization's goals.

"I'm taking office at a critical time in the guild's history and will work on behalf of all of our members," Winship said. "Together, we will fight to get the too long denied respectful, fair and decent contracts for our members at ABC News and CBS News and work diligently and closely with our esteemed colleagues at the WGA West as we continue our MBA contract negotiations."

The Reporter said Winship's main competition for the WGA East presidency had been TV news writer Tom Phillips, who previously worked with CBS News.