Striking Hollywood Writers and Studios to Resume Negotiations After 100 Days
LOS ANGELES, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Negotiations between Hollywood writers and major studios will resume on Friday, according to the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The strike, which has now surpassed 100 days, has caused significant disruptions in the entertainment industry.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing major studios including Walt Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros Discovery, is expected to respond to the proposals put forward by the WGA, the union stated on Thursday.
The strike began on May 2 after talks between the WGA and the major studios reached an impasse on various issues, including compensation, minimum staffing of writers’ rooms, and residual payments in the streaming era. Another concern raised by the writers was the regulation of artificial intelligence, which they feared could replace their creative input.
Recent earnings calls by studio executives have indicated their desire for a timely resolution to the labor unrest. However, the strained nature of the talks was evident when the WGA released a critical statement following a meeting held on Aug. 4 to discuss the resumption of negotiations and the key issues each side intended to bring to the bargaining table.
Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger took a conciliatory approach on Wednesday, extending an olive branch to Hollywood writers and actors. He expressed his “deep respect” for creative professionals, stating that they are vital to the company’s success and the industry as a whole. However, Iger’s previous remarks dismissing the striking workers’ demands as “not realistic” had garnered backlash.
The strike, involving approximately 11,500 writers, has led to the cancellation of new episodes for late-night shows, disrupted production for the fall TV season, and halted work on big-budget movies. In a rare event, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), which has around 160,000 members, also joined the strike on July 14, marking the first dual strike since 1960. SAG members are demanding better pay and regulations on the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
The industry is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the resumed negotiations, as it seeks to find a resolution that satisfies both parties and minimizes the negative impact on the entertainment sector.
Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Mary Milliken and Cynthia Osterman