Michael Buckner/Variety
A meeting scheduled for today between Writers Guild of America leaders and a group of concerned producers has been postponed as the guild prepares to resume contract negotiation talks with major Hollywood studios next week.
The meeting was scheduled to be held on Friday. Kenya Barris, Noah Hawley and Sam Ismail were among the contestants seeking insight from WGA leadership to resume talks and put an end to the strike, which has now entered its 137th day. The union’s negotiations with exhibitors came as the WGA also reached out to the AMPTP about resuming bargaining negotiations next week. In this context, it is understood that the two sides agreed that the WGA should focus on preparing for the negotiations. The approaching Islamic New Year holiday this evening also complicated efforts to picket Friday at WGA West headquarters.
The exhibitor group has been active since Labor Day in trying to sit down David Goodman and Chris Keyser, co-chairs of the WGA’s negotiating committee, to express the urgency of resuming negotiations.
The meeting was first scheduled for September 8, then was rescheduled for September 11, then cancelled, then rescheduled again for September 15.
However, rumors about the meeting have circulated widely since last week, perhaps increasing the pressure on WGA leaders to return to the negotiating table.
On Wednesday, the WGA reached out to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to resume talks, according to the studio alliance. The WGA confirmed that the two sides are working to schedule the resumption of talks, but did not comment on who made the first call.
Despite growing anxiety within the union, there are no signs of open revolt or an attempt to marginalize the leadership. In fact, all parties are doing their best not to appear to be at loggerheads, with the WGA emphasizing its unwavering solidarity.
WGA leaders announced that the exhibitors’ meeting would not be a big problem, as they talk to members all the time. The exhibitors themselves have sent a message that they are trying to help, not trying to divide the guild.
The WGA said the AMPTP’s latest offer, submitted on August 11, is not “nearly adequate” and highlighted deficiencies and gaps in six areas. The WGA responded on August 15, making minor moves from its previous position in several areas.
The union and studios have spent the past three weeks waiting for the other to act. The WGA told members that a new offer from the studios would be forthcoming, while the studios said it was the WGA’s turn to respond.
Several talk shows this week announced their return for the fall season. Drew Barrymore drew sharp criticism for announcing on Sunday that she would resume recording episodes without her three WGA writers. Bill Maher made a similar announcement on Wednesday. “The View” has also been taped since May without WGA writers.
The hosts follow the pattern set by Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Ellen DeGeneres, and others in the 2007-2008 writers’ strike. All of these flight attendants were back in the air within a few weeks of the strike, but without pre-written material.
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