Title: Writers Guild of America Engages in Marathon Negotiation Session with Executives, Hopes for Progress Amidst Uncertainty
Subtitle: AI Regulations Remain Key Issue as Negotiators Strive to End Historic Work Stoppage
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The Writers Guild of America (WGA) met for a marathon negotiation session with chief executives and studio and streamer negotiators on Friday, continuing their efforts to reach a deal and bring an end to the 144-day strike. Although a deal was not reached during the intensive talks, management-side insiders expressed optimism, stating that progress was being made.
The negotiations, which took place at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers offices in Sherman Oaks, involved top company leaders such as Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos. The meeting, which began at 11 am PT, extended late into the night, concluding at 8:45 pm. Sources reported that both sides made significant progress and engaged in good faith, but the need for more time was acknowledged.
One key issue that remains unresolved is the potential regulations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a management-side source, AI is still the most challenging issue on the table, with both parties remaining far apart in their positions.
In their statement to members, the WGA negotiating committee announced that the two parties will reconvene on Saturday to continue their efforts in securing a deal. Expressing gratitude for the support received from writers on the picket lines, the committee emphasized their commitment to reaching an agreement that writers deserve.
While negotiations had shown promise in earlier talks, the mood soured on Thursday when the union allegedly resurfaced previously settled issues. This caused tensions among the studios and management side, with one source stating that “we all got mad.” However, the overall sense on Friday was that both sides were determined to reach a resolution and were making progress despite the hiccup. Notably, CEOs spent long periods waiting in their caucus room, signaling the seriousness with which the negotiations were being approached.
Amidst the ongoing negotiations, writers on the picket lines showcased cautious optimism, believing that the end of the historic work stoppage might be near. Showrunner Marc Guggenheim (Legends of Tomorrow) expressed satisfaction with the three consecutive days of talks, emphasizing the importance of persistent dialogue.
Earlier in the week, studio-side sources had claimed that progress had been made on critical WGA issues, including AI and residual compensation tied to the success of streaming shows. TV staffing requirements had also been a major point of discussion, with management reportedly making compromises.
The strike, now nearing 144 days, is just ten days away from surpassing the 1988 work stoppage as the longest in WGA history. In a show of solidarity, members of the performers’ union SAG-AFTRA joined the writers on the picket lines in July, leading to a near standstill in Hollywood production.
As negotiations continue, the WGA remains committed to addressing the concerns of its members and securing a fair deal. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will determine the future of the entertainment industry, particularly in terms of AI usage and residual compensation.
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