WGA Bring New Demands To The Negotiating Table
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After an unsuccessful meeting between the WGA and the AMPTP on Friday, the writer’s guild decided to adjust their demands. To the writers, it seemed like AMPTP was trying to give them hope to soften their resolve. When the AMPTP offered a version of their agreement with the Director's Guild of America, the writers responded that the DGA’s unfair deal was a driving force behind the WGA strike.
The guild’s original demands for higher residuals and safeguards against AI technology remain key to resolving the strike. But after the meeting, they brought up the issue of a healthcare benefit extension. The strike is nearing its 100th day, and many writers are at risk of losing their healthcare. Since healthcare coverage is based on income, striking writers and actors risk losing coverage the longer the strike goes on. The WGA is also asserting the right to respect picket lines like many other unions did for them. The AMPTP is opposed to this because they would have to resolve both the WGA strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike before any work could resume in the Hollywood studios.
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The WGA is not pleased with AMPTP’S behavior. The alliance called for a press blackout about the meeting but allegedly leaked information to the press. Strike captain Helen Shang summed up the guild’s feelings: “Our union is fighting for the livelihood of the rank and file writer. Our union is asking for transparency, fairness, and non-exploitation of our work. Our union honored the media blackout. The AMPTP’s maneuvers tonight have solidified my resolve in our strike more than ever.”
The union remains committed to strike action until an acceptable deal is reached. One writer and WGA board candidate, Rob Forman, offered a reason for the AMPTP’s behavior: “Starting to get the feeling that the AMPTP negotiators are not used to being told ‘no,’ not realizing that writers and actors are told no seven times a day before breakfast.” With these latest developments, the AMPTP will have to offer a fair deal to both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA before they can start making money again. Sources inside the alliance called the atmosphere stiff but not too tense to resume negotiations. An agreement that lets everyone return to work could be just over the horizon.
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