WGA Formally Hires New Regional Leader

Members of the Writers Guild of America’s Western faction formally hired a new leader Thursday when they voted overwhelmingly to approve former CBS executive John McLean as their new executive director.

The 8,500-member union represents Hollywood film and TV writers.

McLean previously was vice president of industrial relations at CBS on the West Coast for 18 years.

McLean succeeds the controversial Brian Walton, who resigned the post under pressure last year after 13 years amid guild infighting.

McLean, a native of Toronto, was selected in January by directors of the guild to assume the job, historically one of Hollywood’s most influential labor posts.