WGA strike update: talks to resume after Thanksgiving

Posted by fanshawe

November 17, 2007

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The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) issued a joint statement last night, 12 days into the strike, saying that they will resume talks on November 26, after the Thanksgiving break, reports Variety.

The writers stopping the strike is no longer a condition for new talks to start between them and the studios and networks, so they will remain on the picket lines. The two sides also agreed to a media blackout and will not be issuing any details from this point on.

The negotiations hit a dead end on November 4, when WGA’s taking increase in DVD residuals off the table was not adequately reciprocated by AMTPT in terms of compensation in new media. The domino effect of the writers strike has included show cancellations, film and series production setbacks, job losses in the film and related industries as a result of studios and networks cutting costs, etc.

WGA West president Patrick Verrone has sent a letter to all WGA members, reminding that “Now it is equally important that we now prove that good news won’t slow us down, either. We must remember that returning to the bargaining table is only a start. Our work is not done until we achieve a good contract and that is by no means assured. Accordingly, what we achieve in negotiations will be a direct result of how successfully we can keep up our determination and resolve.”

In other words, the strike is not over until a better deal is made. In the meantime, you can still sign the petition to AMPTP and do several other things to support the writers strike.