ROTTEN TOMATOES: Writers Guild, AMPTP Prepping for New Round of Negotiations

Writers Guild, AMPTP Prepping for New Round of Negotiations

New hope for a strike-free Oscars?

by Jeff Giles | January 23, 2008

We've heard it before, but maybe this time, it'll turn out to be true: After weeks without progress, it appears as if negotiations between the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers might be turning a corner.

Variety reports that the WGA has removed two of the AMPTP's least favorite proposals -- demands for jurisdiction over writers in the reality and animation sectors -- and has agreed to continue informal talks with the Alliance in preparation for a formal resumption of negotiations.

The thaw was triggered by the Directors Guild of America's recent announcement of a deal with the AMPTP -- one which many WGA members believe could be comfortably used as a template for the WGA's contract talks. Admittedly, it isn't much in terms of tangible progress, but at this point, the industry will take what it can get. From Variety:

With the DGA deal paving the way for new talks for the writers, the Feb. 24 Oscarcast has become a kind of unofficial deadline for the AMPTP and WGA to come to terms -- or settle in for a prolonged war that could also enlist the Screen Actors Guild, whose contract is up June 30.

Though chances for a strike-free Oscars are said to have "received a major boost" yesterday, WGA East president Michael Winship was quick to remind reporters that "renewed communication" doesn't necessarily equal an end to the strike, saying:

"Until the Writers Guild has a deal with the conglomerates -- the studios and networks -- our intention is to boycott the Oscars, to picket the Oscars and to ask our fellow union members at the Screen Actors Guild to boycott the Oscars. That's our plan."

For his part, Oscars producer Gil Cates doesn't seem to be losing much sleep over whether his show will have to contend with a strike:

"A month is a long time away -- look at Iowa. There will be lots of clips -- we have a long history, 80 years, to explore."

Source: Variety

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(1-17 of 17 posts) | Reply

TitusCosminus writes:
on Jan 23 2008 06:00 AM

This strike is dumb, just give the writers the stupid benefits so both sides could start making money. They lost more money by entering this stubborn strike that they would have if they agreed with the WGA demands....pathetic...

(Reply to this)

sunsaz writes:
on Jan 23 2008 06:54 AM

I'm starting to wonder if this is EVER going to end. I just want one of the sides to acknowledge the fans since we're the ones having to endure the most anguish. And if someone says "well what about the writers and their income," it's their own d**n fault they didn't have a better savings plan.

(Reply to this)

alsanali writes:
on Jan 23 2008 07:26 AM

Yeah... because not having a a financially secure job to support your family is the same as not being able to watch your favorite TV shows, right?

Americans know so much about anguish!

(Reply to this)

mcwf1 writes:
on Jan 23 2008 08:59 AM

sunsaz, that really is a awfully painful (see idiotic) comment to make.

I'm sure the people on the picket line, scraping by know not the anguish you experience, not being able to watch your shows. Oh the huge manatee!

(Reply to this)

BowieSwimmer writes:
on Jan 23 2008 10:08 AM

hahaha ohh sunsaz...
STUDIOS, JUST GIVE THE WRITERS WHAT THEY WANT!!!
More than my shows, I want the Oscars back and without fear of a picket!
...and I realize how selfish that sounds.

But the writers really deserve what they're asking for.
Is that too much? They've been under payed and under appreciated from years, so I think they are more than deserving of what they're asking for.

(Reply to this)

kdbarrett writes:
on Jan 23 2008 10:09 AM

And sunsaz, don't forget about the crew people who have no control over the strike and so many have been laid off. Missing season 7 of "24" is SO much more painful than being out of work!

(Reply to this)

dahluzz writes:
on Jan 23 2008 10:22 AM

wow Sunsaz, I never thought of it that way! you must be so LOST without your precious tv shows. you have to sit around THE OFFICE all day, then you get home and nothing's on. this is like a 24 hour a day problem for you. your thumbs must be atrophied from lack of remote controlisthenics. AHH THE ANGUISH! THE UNRELENTING AGONY!!

you might want to keep this thought to yourself if any guild members are around. hate to see you catch a snappily-written picket sign to the face or anything.

(Reply to this)

LordVapor writes:
on Jan 23 2008 10:43 AM

LOL @ dahluzz, yeah, sadly i think that sunsaz lives out here in phoenix. If so the sun has probably gotten to him by not wearing a hat outside in the sun all day long. I apologize for his painfully retarded *see painfull retarded* comments.

I hope the writers get what they want. Studios make way way too much, they need to start spreading the wealth a little bit.

They still owe us all for Waterworld anyway LOL

(Reply to this)

Blintzkrieg writes:
on Jan 23 2008 11:00 AM

No, Kevin Costner owes us for Waterworld... Ugh.

(Reply to this)

hewpot writes:
on Jan 23 2008 11:18 AM

about time goshdarnit!

(Reply to this)

Zenrick writes:
on Jan 23 2008 12:19 PM

Oh no! they might boycott the Oscars! *shivers in boots*

...as if the Oscars were anything to look forward to anyway.
The writers for 24 need to explain to their WGA East President that setting deadlines and threatening until demands are met never works because Jack Bauer always comes to kick some tail....even if he is killed in the process, Jack will find a way.

On a more serious note:
I have already lost all interest in watching any of my favorite shows. I'm tired of hearing about the strike. I am happy though. Now I am forced to get off my lazy tail and do more constructive things.....like complain on Rotten Tomatos ;)

(Reply to this)

shodanadam writes:
on Jan 23 2008 12:53 PM

In reply to this comment (#1511987)
As if the comments from one person on a message board represents the thoughts of all Americans. Please, shut up.

(Reply to this)

OperaGhost21 writes:
on Jan 23 2008 01:59 PM

Even if they don't finalize new terms for the writers (which I truly hope they do), I would like at least SOME progress. I don't see how the studios will be able to hold out much longer, so hopefully we'll see the end soon.

(Reply to this)

WeaponAndy writes:
on Jan 23 2008 02:33 PM

I never agreed with the writers strike from the beginning, but to hear they're at least entering negotiations again is a good change. 4 cents and the prospect of a digital future 20 or so years from now is a terrible thing to strike over and throw hundreds if not thousands of people out of work. This should have been settled another way.

(Reply to this)

supafly006 writes:
on Jan 23 2008 06:47 PM

This is BS you all are saying oh the poor writers. F the writers don't forget they choose to be on strike. Where as people like me have become unemployed. Dont forget about all the other people that help make TV shows and movies we are all out of a job because the writers choose not to work. Nobody wants to talk about us but we are the ones who are suffering. the WGA can suck my balls!

(Reply to this)

bigteddyt writes:
on Jan 23 2008 07:10 PM

both sides are to blame. they're both being selfish and both semi-valid points. being an F/X guy, this really sucks, but i think the onslaught after the strike will more than compensate.

(Reply to this)

hume8617 writes:
on Jan 31 2008 05:49 PM

In reply to this comment (#1511843)
to the above comment. "I'm starting to wonder if this is EVER going to end. I just want one of the sides to acknowledge the fans since we're the ones having to endure the most anguish."

The blue collar crew members are the ones suffering the most "anguish," I'm afraid. We are the ones out of work.

(Reply to this)

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