After an intense day of negotiations, the AMPTP and the WGA have decided to take a break until next week. The companies have presented a counterproposal to the guild’s proposals, and both parties need time to consider their next moves.
The strike, which has been going on for 102 days, revolves around several key issues. These include pay raises, viewership-based streaming residuals, ensuring the “preservation of the writers room” through minimum staffing and guaranteed days of employment, and establishing safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence to write scripts.
There were hopes for a resolution on August 1 when AMPTP President Carol Lombardini invited the guild’s negotiating committee to meet on August 4. Unfortunately, those talks quickly fell apart, with the guild accusing the AMPTP of sticking to their “tired anti-union playbook.”
In response, the AMPTP defended their intentions, stating that their only goal is to get people back to work. They also questioned whether the guild is truly willing to negotiate.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. The WGA announced that Lombardini has reached out to the guild once again, this time with a genuine desire to resume bargaining. The guild is optimistic and ready to make a fair deal, knowing they have the support of their unified membership and union allies.
While progress is being made, it’s important to note that even when a tentative agreement is reached, it will take approximately four days for the strike to officially end. This involves the contract’s approval by the governing bodies of the WGA West and WGA East, followed by ratification from their memberships. This process mirrors the timeline of the WGA’s previous strikes in 1988 and 2007-08.
