Most Variety readers back WGA strike

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A Variety poll indicated nearly two-thirds of the trade paper's readers said they support the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since Nov. 5.

The new survey, which polled 999 subscribers to Variety, found that 61 percent of all respondents said they felt the WGA walkout was necessary.

Among those survey voters the publication described as "creatives," 79 percent backed the writers, said a statement posted on the WGA Web site.

The poll was conducted Nov. 16-21 for Variety by Frank N. Magid Associates.

The survey followed two polls conducted by Pepperdine University and SurveyUSA showing widespread public support for the WGA, with 63 and 68 percent support respectively.

In an opinion article in the Los Angeles Times, Variety Editor in Chief Peter Bart expressed surprise at the overwhelming support for the writers, describing his readers as "not exactly a predictably pro-labor constituency."