Writers Guild of America negotiators are scheduled to meet with studio reps on Friday, in the first talks since the strike began on May 2, the union’s negotiating committee said in an email to members Tuesday evening.
The guild noted that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers requested the meeting to jumpstart contract talks.
“We’ll be back in communication with you sometime after the meeting with further information,” read the email, which some members posted on social media. “As we’ve said before, be wary of rumors. Whenever there is important news to share, you will hear it directly from us.”
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The WGA is pushing for higher residual pay for streaming programs. The union is also calling for industry standards on the number of writers assigned to each show, and rules limiting the use of artificial intelligence technology to write or rewrite scripts — which threatens jobs.
The AMPTP, which represents Hollywood studios, networks and streaming services, has pushed back saying it offered a “comprehensive package proposal” to the guild, but it was rejected.
The writers strike is nearing its 100th day. Strike captains have events planned across the country on Aug. 9, “to mark 100 days on the line and to celebrate our resilience and resolve.”
This is the first WGA strike since 2007. The last walkout caused an estimated $2 billion in economic damage.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 actors, went on strike July 14.
Writers and actors have been braving triple digit heat on picket lines in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and other cities.
The actors union is also calling for increased streaming residuals and protections against the use of actor images through artificial intelligence.
