Striking Hollywood writers, studios meet to discuss resuming talks
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[August 04, 2023]
By Dawn Chmielewski
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - As the Hollywood writers' strike approaches the
100-day mark, Writers Guild of America (WGA) negotiators will meet on
Friday with representatives of the major studios for the first time in
three months to discuss whether contract talks can resume.
The 11,500 members of the guild walked out May 2, citing an impasse over
pay, streaming residuals and other issues such as setting curbs on the
use of artificial intelligence. Next Wednesday marks the 100th day of
the strike.
Ahead of the meeting, the WGA's negotiating committee issued a statement
to union members, saying it was time for the studios to abandon the
tactics they used during the previous writers' strike in 2007-08,
including allegedly spreading misinformation about the real impact of
the strike.
"We challenge the studios and AMPTP to come to the meeting they called
for this Friday with a new playbook," the WGA said in an email. "Be
willing to make a fair deal and begin to repair the damage your strikes
and your business practices have caused the workers in this industry."
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which
negotiates on behalf of Walt Disney, Netflix and other companies, called
the WGA rhetoric "unfortunate."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Aug/04/images/ads/current/goodman_sda_FAIR_2022.png)
"Tomorrow's discussion with the WGA is to determine whether we have a
willing bargaining partner," the AMPTP said in a statement, adding "Our
only playbook is getting people back to work."
Previously, the group said it had offered writers generous increases in
compensation, and put forward improvements in the residuals paid to
writers for making their movies and TV shows available on streaming
services.
The work stoppage is taking a toll on florists, caterers, costume
suppliers and other small businesses that support the entertainment
industry. Those impacts were magnified, on July 14, when members of the
Screen Actors Guild went on strike, after being unable to reach an
agreement with the studios on a new three-year contract.
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![](../images/080423PIX/ent_a.27.jpg)
SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of
America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing
strike outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California, U.S.,
August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Aug/04/images/ads/current/peasley_lda_051513.png) The AMPTP issued a statement, saying
the actors had walked away from more than $1 billion in wage
increases, pension and health contributions and residual increases.
The twin job actions are rippling broadly through the entertainment
industry, halting most work on scripted series for the fall TV
season as well as film production. The strikes also cast a pall over
British Columbia's creative industry, which has become a hub for
American film and TV production.
Fox is expected to announce that television's Emmy Awards will be
rescheduled to air in January due to the strikes, the Los Angeles
Times reported, citing a person familiar with the plans.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros Discovery warned investors Thursday that
uncertainty over the dual strikes could delay film releases and
impact its ability to produce and deliver content.
Some writers turned to social media Thursday to demonstrate their
resolve and solidarity with the negotiating team.
"This strike ends when we get our target deal. NOT before," wrote
Jorge A. Reyes, writer and creator of the series "Kevin Hill," on
the social media platform now known as X.
"And it should be THE BEST DEAL. We didn't spend this time or come
this far to just get something just okay. Something I'm sure our
valiant leadership is aware of. We're behind you, as solidly as we
were on Day 1."
(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; additional reporting
by Danielle Broadway in Los Angeles; Editing by Mary Milliken and
David Gregorio)
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