After wrapping up their negotiations on Friday, the top Hollywood companies and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have scheduled another meeting for the following week. The studios presented the union with their latest counter-offer, prompting the need for further discussions.
In a message to its members, the WGA negotiating committee acknowledged that the studios had responded to their proposals in all work areas the week before. They revealed that meetings had taken place throughout the week and would continue into the following week. The committee expressed their gratitude for the support and solidarity shown by their members and cautioned them against believing rumors from third parties, assuring them that the Guild would communicate any significant updates.
Prior to their meeting on Friday, the two sides had also convened on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. According to sources from the studio side, the AMPTP responded to the guild’s most recent counter-offer on Friday, putting the ball back in the WGA’s court. The WGA has yet to comment on this development. Additionally, top company CEOs held a meeting in the morning to discuss the progress of the negotiations, but no further information about this meeting was available at the time of reporting.
Sources from the management side expressed optimism, believing that talks were progressing, although they haven’t reached a breakthrough point yet. On the other hand, the union has remained relatively quiet, only providing updates to their members through their Friday message. An executive shared that there is a sense of positive momentum in comparison to the previous week, indicating that everyone involved is actively working towards a resolution.
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The WGA updated its members on the 109th day of the writers’ strike in 2023. This strike has exceeded the duration of the union’s last strike in 2007-08 by nine days, causing significant disruptions to scripted U.S. production. The California economy suffered an estimated loss of $2.1 billion during the previous strike. Alongside the WGA strike, SAG-AFTRA also called for a strike in July, further impacting the industry by delaying release dates of projects and preventing stars from promoting their work.
As the negotiations continue between Hollywood companies and the WGA, industry professionals and fans await a resolution. The impacts of the ongoing strike are being felt throughout the entertainment industry, underscoring the need for a fair agreement that addresses the concerns of both parties involved.
Lesley Goldberg provided additional reporting.
