As the strike reaches a monumental day 142, the pressure to end the strike has intensified. With talks between the WGA and the AMPTP resuming today, a group of studio CEOs has joined the bargaining session in Sherman Oaks.
Disney CEO Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, and NBCUniversal Studio Group chairman and chief content officer Donna Langley, sat in the session today underscoring the urgency of finding a resolution to the strike.
Typically, industry bargaining sessions are led by labor relations representatives and top AMPTP staffers, with CEOs staying behind the scenes. However, the unprecedented scale and impact of the ongoing strikes by writers and actors have compelled these company leaders to become directly involved in the negotiations.
Sources familiar with Wednesday’s negotiations told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio heads cleared their calendars to engage in a substantive conversation with the WGA Negotiating Committee. The WGA provided a list of issues, ranked by importance, to the studio side ahead of the meeting. The collective goal is to address the challenges that have arisen from the protracted strikes and find a resolution.
This move comes after a significant lull in official talks, with the AMPTP’s announcement on September 14 that the parties would return to the negotiation table the following week. In response, the Writers Guild of America conveyed to its members its commitment to securing a fair deal for writers as quickly as possible, hinting at the prospect of genuine negotiations.
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One veteran showrunner expressed optimism regarding the union’s message, interpreting it as a sign of their expectation for substantial negotiations. The hope is for a meaningful breakthrough in discussions to end the strike, rather than merely a temporary pause.
This is the second time during the strike that company leaders have engaged directly with the WGA. On August 21, WGA leaders had a meeting with Bob Iger and Ted Sarandos. Though there were disagreements, the meeting took place. Afterward, the AMPTP made an offer to the union, stating their commitment to ending the strike. However, the union criticized the offer, pointing out its perceived limitations and omissions.
With studio leaders prepared to dedicate significant time to the discussions, there is a possibility that the negotiations may extend late into the night if progress is made. Conversely, an early conclusion could indicate limited headway in resolving the strike. The industry as a whole remains on edge as they await the outcome of these critical negotiations.
For Reel 360 News’ full strike coverage, click here.
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