HOLLYWOOD, June 25 — Two years ago John Wells, the powerful writer-producer of shows like ''E.R.'' and ''The West Wing,'' successfully ran for president of the Writers Guild of America's West Coast branch after describing the status of Hollywood writers as ''intolerable,'' ''a disgrace,'' ''unconscionable'' and ''unpardonable.'' Last month Mr. Wells, seeking to change the way writers are treated and paid in Hollywood, led the Writers Guild team in tense contract negotiations with the television networks and film studios, talks that narrowly averted a strike.
But shortly after the contract was resolved Mr. Wells, who is executive producer of NBC's successful and lucrative hourlong drama ''West Wing,'' quietly informed writers on that show that the provisions in their contracts for increased pay and promotions would not be honored in the series's forthcoming third season. The writers were described as shocked and angry.
What stunned some of the show's six writers, several people connected to ''The West Wing'' said, was not only that they were not getting what they had been contractually promised -- more money and higher job titles like story editor -- but also that the timing of the move made it almost impossible for them to find new jobs. Mr. Wells told the writers and their agents in late May, weeks after most new television shows had already hired writing staffs. The writers said the timing was a deliberate attempt to keep them on the show.
