Perry, WGAW agree on new contract

ATLANTA, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Tyler Perry Studios and the Writers Guild of America West say they have agreed on a new contract after more than five months of negotiations.

Vic Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, was instrumental in bringing the two parties together, WGAW said in a posting on its Web site.

"We are pleased to have come to a resolution with the WGA, and thank the NAACP for their support during negotiations. We look forward to many years working with the talented writers who are members of the guild," Perry said in a statement. "With a continued focus on fostering young, diverse talent, we are eager to continue our dialogue with the WGA to dramatically increase the number of minority writers working in Hollywood today."

"At a time when true independent producers like Mr. Perry are rare in this business, we congratulate him on his success and welcome his decision to become signatory to a WGA contract," added WGAW President Patric M. Verrone.

The contract with the WGA was the last union agreement outstanding for Tyler Perry Studios, which had previously brokered deals with the Teamsters, Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America and others.

Perry also acknowledged that some of the writers on the TBS series "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns" will not be returning to the shows. He thanked them for their services and wished them well in their future endeavors, the WGAW said in its Web posting.