Union leaders told striking Hollywood writers Tuesday night that they plan to satisfy with representatives for studios to debate restarting negotiations after the primary official communication between the 2 sides for the reason that strike began three months ago.
The Writers Guild of America sent an email to members saying that the pinnacle of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major studios, streaming services and production corporations in negotiations, requested a gathering on Friday to debate the resumption of contract talks.
“We’ll be back in communication with you sometime after the meeting with further information,” the e-mail read. “As we’ve said before, be wary of rumors. At any time when there is significant news to share, you’ll hear it directly from us.”
It was not immediately known whether an analogous overture was made to union leaders for Hollywood actors, who’ve been on strike since July 14.
Asked concerning the prospect of talks with either guild, a spokesperson for the AMPTP in an email said only that “We remain committed to finding a path to mutually useful deals with each Unions.”
An email to a representative from the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represents striking film and tv actors, was not immediately returned.
Talks between screenwriters and their employers collapsed on May 1, and the primary of the 2 strikes which have frozen production in Hollywood began a day later.
Issues behind the strike include pay rates amid inflation, the usage of smaller writing staffs for shorter seasons of television shows, and control over artificial intelligence within the screenwriting process.
“I had hoped that we might have already got had some sort of conversations with the industry by now,” SAG-AFTRA Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told The Associated Press earlier Tuesday, before the e-mail was sent to writers. “Obviously, that hasn’t happened yet, but I’m optimistic.”
