LATINO WRITERS

It was never our intention to bite the hand that first reached out to feed us (Letters, March 19). Under the leadership of Jeff Sagansky, CBS was the first network to set up a Latino Writers Program. His staff worked on their own time reading the countless scripts submitted to them by Latino writers and then have worked to place Latino writers on CBS shows. The initial deal, which by its very nature of being a first step and not all that everyone hoped for, was entered into in good faith and is currently being renegotiated. Julie Friedgen willingly participated in the program, found it to be meaningful and rewarding beyond her expectations, and had a script produced for which she was paid Writers Guild scale.

In our haste to try to bring an end to the constant badgering and ceaseless rancor directed at us by Latino members of our guild unhappy with the initial deal, we lost perspective of how appreciative we are to CBS for taking that first step, which in turn has encouraged the other networks to follow suit.

ROSEMARY ALDERETE

JULIE FRIEDGEN

JOSEFINA LOPEZ