Finally – The writers strike is officially over. Not a day too late. The Writers Guild of America lifted the strike a bit before 7p.m. PST, yesterday.

“The strike is over,” WGA West president Patric Verrone said. “Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work. This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet. Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed.”

“Don’t be greedy! Don’t be petty! You won’t get your Ugly Betty!”

This was the sentiment being shouted outside the gates of Raleigh Studios—where Ugly Betty tapes—yesterday afternoon, when the cast of the show gathered to join their writers in protest and proclaim solidarity.

Becki Newton said she’s counting her blessings at this point: “The writers worked so hard to finish these episodes, so we feel very fortunate that we still have [material] to be working on. We’re doing our best to honor their words, because these guys are the reason we’re here. Amanda is Amanda because of the lines they write for her, so I fully respect that, and I support them. People don’t realize that the characters they’re watching are a complete function of the writing.”

According to ContactMusic.com, Becki regularly receives abuse from fans of “Ugly Betty” – but is unfazed by the insults because it ‘proves she is a great actress’. The 28-year-old, who plays binge-eating receptionist Amanda, is often called ‘a bitch’ by followers of the hit T.V. series. But the actress insists it’s all part of her profession. She says, “All the abuse just means I’m doing my job properly.”