It’s looking like the writer’s strike could continue for months as a report earlier today on Deadline indicated that the studios have no intention of sitting down with the Writers Guild for a while.
Several unnamed sources for the outlet indicate the intention is for no return to talks until late October, with the plan being “to grind down the guild”. One studio exec reportedly added that the goal is to “break the WGA”.
By stalling things until October, by which time it’ll be five months on the picket lines with no work, the endgame seems to be to keep the strike going “until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses”. This leaves the studios in a position to dictate many of the terms of any possible deal.
Subsequently, the AMPTP issued a statement refuting the report, saying:
“These anonymous people are not speaking on behalf of the AMPTP or member companies, who are committed to reaching a deal and getting our industry back to work.”
Since the strike was called in early May, there have been no discussions between the AMPTP and the writer’s guild despite persistent public offers by the guild to meet.
This marks a contrast to SAG-AFTRA, who may join the WGA on the picket lines but it’s hoped the actors will be back to the negotiating table in a few weeks.
