As the Writers Guild stoppage entered its fourth month, WGA Chief Negotiator Ellen Stutzman and WGA West General Counsel Tony Segall met privately with Carol Lombardini and AMPTP staff to discuss the resumption of negotiations for a new MBA (Minimum Basic Agreement).
The meeting was treated as confidential, and the topics covered included press blackouts, a potential negotiation protocol, and a preview of the issues each side intended to bring back to the table upon resumption.
However, the AMPTP stated that they needed to consult with their member studios before proceeding, resulting in no agreement on the discussed items at this stage.
In other words, a stalemate.
The Guild was caught slightly off-guard as they stated the original plan was to inform the members via a simple email about the progress of negotiations when there was more specific information available.
However, before the negotiating committee had a chance to meet, the communications department received inquiries from the media regarding studio-leaked rumors about the contents of the confidential meeting. This occurred despite the AMPTP’s emphasis on the need for a press blackout during the discussion.
As a response to the leaked information, the Guild decided to inform its members about what was discussed in the meeting. Carol Lombardini informed the committee that the DGA (Directors Guild of America) deal would be the template for any pattern issues.
The AMPTP claimed it was open to increasing its offer on specific TV minimums for writers and discussing AI-related matters, but they were unwilling to engage in negotiations concerning the preservation of the writers’ room or success-based residuals. They also showed no indication of addressing screenwriter issues, Appendix A issues, and several other proposals that were on the WGA’s list.
REELated:
Stutzman reiterated the expectation that all fundamental issues for which the writers had been striking for the past three months should be addressed in the new contract. She emphasized that no segment of the membership should be left behind.
“Ellen made clear that, in addition to a comprehensive response from the AMPTP on our proposals in all work areas, we will need to address issues arising from the strike, including a health care benefit extension and additional plan funding, reinstatement of striking writers, and arbitration of disputes arising during the strike. We will also seek the right for individual WGA members to honor other unions’ picket lines as they have honored ours during this strike,” said the Guild email to members.
Lombardini’s response to the negotiations was that “people just want to get back to work,” a sentiment that was echoed in the AMPTP’s press statement the previous day. The Guild agreed with this sentiment but emphasized that the conditions that had made writers’ jobs increasingly difficult must be addressed first.
The negotiating committee expressed their willingness to engage with the companies and resume negotiations in good faith to achieve a fair deal for all writers. However, they made it clear that they would not leave anyone behind or settle for merely an incremental agreement to end the strike. The AMPTP’s approach seemed to follow a familiar pattern, but the committee remained determined to stand strong for the interests of the writers.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her willingness to get involved personally to find a resolution to the ongoing writers and actors strikes, which have led to significant production shutdowns in the region. She viewed the scheduled meeting between representatives of the WGA and AMPTP as a positive step, recognizing the severe negative impacts the strike has had on the local economy and community members.
A source close to the situation told Variety the sides expect to be back in communication in the coming days after leaders discuss Friday’s gathering with their respective constituencies.
The Writers Guild Strike has now hit its 96th day.
