Writers Guild of America and Hollywood Studios Set Date for Negotiations
After a 101-day hiatus, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood’s top studios and streamers are finally set to return to the negotiating table on Friday, August 11. The announcement came nearly a week after both parties met for an exploratory meeting on August 4. This marks the first step towards resolving the writers’ strike.
In an email to members on August 10, the WGA stated, “Carol Lombardini has asked the WGA Negotiating Committee to meet with AMPTP negotiators on Friday. We expect the AMPTP to provide responses to WGA proposals. Our committee returns to the bargaining table ready to make a fair deal, knowing the unified WGA membership stands behind us and buoyed by the ongoing support of our union allies. We will get back to you.”
The lead-up to this development was not without its share of drama. Following the August 4 meeting, the WGA informed its members that the AMPTP was seeking to use the deal that the Directors Guild of America (DGA) agreed to earlier this summer as a template for shared issues like pay increases. However, they expressed a lack of willingness to address core writer issues such as minimum size of writers’ rooms or success-based residuals, among other topics. Writers criticized the AMPTP’s offer as “insulting and out-of-touch.”
Despite an initial sense of optimism for the August 4 meeting, the lack of results served as yet another rallying cry for the writers. On Wednesday, the WGA marked the 100th day of its strike, which has now surpassed the length of the 2007 walkout. Chris Keyser, co-chair of the WGA negotiating committee, called the 100-day marker “an anniversary of shame for the AMPTP.”
Prior to the August 4 meeting, the WGA had warned its members that entertainment companies might not be ready to make major concessions. The union challenged the studios and AMPTP to come to the meeting with a new playbook, urging them to make a fair deal and begin repairing the damage caused by the strikes and business practices. The AMPTP responded with a terse press statement describing the WGA’s rhetoric as “unfortunate” and emphasizing their dedication to getting people back to work.
The writers’ strike, which is now in its 101st day, has effectively shut down unionized, scripted production in the US and abroad, impacting projects like Deadpool 3 and Gladiator 2. Additionally, production on major films and television series, including Marvel’s Blade and Netflix’s Stranger Things, has been delayed as performers’ union SAG-AFTRA joined the picket lines on July 14.
The upcoming negotiations on August 11 will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached to end the writers’ strike and bring an end to the widespread disruption in the entertainment industry.