WGA to evaluate counterproposal from Hollywood studios after resuming talks

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As striking writers rekindled talks with Hollywood studios on Friday, the Writers Guild of America says it received a counterproposal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

In a statement, the union’s negotiating committee said they would evaluate the new offer and form a response next week.

The union, however, did not disclose any details about the counterproposal offered by the AMPTP, which represents the studios.

“Sometimes more progress can be made in negotiations when they are conducted without a blow-by-blow description of the moves on each side and a subsequent public dissection of the meaning of the moves,” the union’s negotiating committee wrote in a message to members. “That will be our approach, at least for the time being, until there is something of significance to report, or unless management uses the media or industry surrogates to try to influence the narrative.”

The committee urged members in the meantime to continue their presence on picket lines, along with members of the striking SAG-AFTRA actors’ union.

The AMPTP did not comment about Friday’s talks.

Friday’s resumption of talks was the first glimmer of hope in three months of a possible break in the labor stalemate that has essentially shut down production and brought the entertainment industry to a halt.

On Wednesday, the WGA marked the 100th day of its strike — matching the duration of the union’s last walkout in 2007-08.

Last Friday, WGA leaders met with AMPTP leadership to discuss a possible resumption of talks. According to the WGA, that discussion showed the two sides remain far apart on several key issues, including success-based residuals for streaming content.

Writers are also asking for minimum staffing levels for television writing rooms, safeguards around AI technology and more.

Workers say they are feeling the financial burden of not working.

“The pain is real. I have a family to support. I have parents that I help take care of. So I’m feeling it but I’m also not going anywhere,” said WGA member Linda Patel.

City News Service contributed to this report.