Negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and major studios are scheduled to meet on Friday for discussions, marking the first talks since the commencement of the Hollywood writers strike on May 2nd, as informed by the union’s negotiating committee to its members.
According to an email from the union’s negotiating committee to its members, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached out to the union to request the meeting.
“We will provide you with further information after the meeting,” stated the email. “As we have mentioned before, be cautious of rumors. Any important news will be conveyed directly from us.”
The WGA is urging for improvements on various fronts, primarily for higher residual pay for streaming programs with a larger viewership, as opposed to the current model that pays a standard rate regardless of a show’s success.
The union also calls for industry standards on the number of writers assigned to each show, an increase in foreign streaming residuals, and regulations to prevent the use of artificial intelligence technology for writing or rewriting literary material.
The AMPTP, which represents Hollywood studios, networks, and streaming services, has pushed back against some of the WGA’s demands, particularly regarding mandatory staffing and employment guarantees for programs. The AMPTP has also expressed opposition to the WGA’s demands concerning streaming residuals, arguing that the guild’s offer would result in a 200% rate increase.
The use of artificial intelligence has emerged as a significant topic. The WGA is calling for a ban on AI usage and claims that the AMPTP has refused to negotiate on this issue. The AMPTP argues that the matter raises “important creative and legal questions” that require further discussion, which they are committed to doing.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 actors, joined the striking Writers Guild of America members and went on strike on July 14th. This double-barreled strike marks the first time in 63 years that both unions have simultaneously walked off the job.
In July, the SAG-AFTRA negotiating team released a statement outlining the key issues in the dispute and stating that the AMPTP failed to engage meaningfully on the most critical matters.
The SAG-AFTRA list of demands includes general wage increases, protections against the use of actor images through artificial intelligence, enhanced compensation for successful streaming programs, and improvements in health and retirement benefits.
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