Work in Hollywood has ground to halt since the WGA and SAG-AFTRA went on strike. Now, after hitting the 102 day mark, the WGA and AMPTP are resuming negotiations on August 11th. Both groups will again try to find middle ground to agree to terms to provide fair and equal pay for writers in the entertainment industry.
“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,” an e-mail released to WGA members August 10th stated. “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.”
One Template Can’t Satisfy Everyone
There could be significantly rough seas ahead, however. Earlier this summer, the DGA (Directors Guild of America) settled on a deal with the AMPTP. The WGA explored possible talks for an August 4th meeting. But the AMPTP seemed keen on using the DGA deal as a template. Something the WGA took as an insult as the core issues regarding their strike were not addressed. So a memo was sent out August 3rd, cancelling the meet-up.
“We challenge the studios and AMPTP to come to the meeting they called for [last] Friday with a new playbook: 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 WGA said of the AMPTP.
We’ll let you know what we hear about any possible movement from today’s talks.
