Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has offered her assistance in resolving the ongoing strike between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Writers Guild. The mayor’s statement comes as the negotiating parties returned to the table to address the multitude of issues that led to the breakdown of contract talks in May.
Expressing optimism about the reopening of communication between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the AMPTP, Mayor Bass acknowledged the profound negative impacts the strike has had on the city’s economy and its community members. She emphasized that the strike’s effects have reached every corner of Los Angeles and have caused ripple effects throughout the state and country.
Mayor Bass further highlighted the changing economic conditions of the entertainment industry and stressed the urgent need for a resolution. She stated her readiness to personally engage with all stakeholders to help facilitate a solution and get Los Angeles back on track.
The WGA recently announced that the AMPTP had requested a meeting to discuss negotiations. However, the guild cautioned its members about rumors and maintained that the studios in the AMPTP have refused to come back to the table to address key issues since the writers’ strike began. These issues include residual payments, cost of living wage increases, health insurance, and artificial intelligence protections.
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Notably, the SAG-AFTRA performers’ union has joined the strike, marking the first time in over half a century that both the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA have gone on strike simultaneously.
Highlighting the growing support for the striking workers, the New York City Council unanimously passed two resolutions expressing solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA. The resolutions urge the AMPTP to engage in good faith negotiations that result in a fair contract for all Writers Guild members. Council Member Carmen De La Rosa emphasized the importance of ensuring a dignified life for entertainment workers and called on large companies to engage in fair negotiations.
The resolutions were sponsored by Council Members Carmen De La Rosa and Amanda Farías, with SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher appearing in New York City to show her support for the resolutions’ passing.
In conclusion, Mayor Karen Bass’s commitment to personally engage with the negotiating parties reflects the significance of resolving the ongoing strike for Los Angeles, its economy, and its community members. The strike’s impact on the entertainment industry has reverberated throughout the city, state, and country. As negotiations continue, the support from government officials and unions like SAG-AFTRA underscores the importance of fair negotiations that address the concerns of all parties involved.
