Secret talks between Writers Guild and studios, networks continue for third day: Strikers have a right to know what’s going on


Representatives of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), whose membership has been on strike since May 2, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) continued secret talks for a third day Friday. Bob Iger of Disney, David Zaslav of Warner Bros. Discover, Ted Sarandos of Netflix and Donna Langley of NBCUniversal have personally intervened in the talks. As of this writing, no news of a tentative settlement had been released.

Hundreds of writers turned out on picket-lines Friday as various rumors circulated. Deadline reported that “one of the reasons the picket lines … were so busy were the rumors that started last night. A deal was going to happen at 6pm. This morning, notes were being frantically exchanged promising a 2pm announcement. Obviously, neither of these things happened, but in spite of that, the writers were in a positive mood.”

Strike rally outside Paramount, Los Angeles, September 13, 2023

In fact, the behind-closed-doors talks represent a grave danger to the striking writers, who have made immense sacrifices over the course of more than 140 days, along with tens of thousands of actors, members of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), on picket-lines since July 14.

The conglomerates have made obvious and public their intention to “break” the writers and actors. The entrance into the negotiations this week of Iger, Zaslav, Sarandos and Langley underscores the dangers facing the striking writers and actors. These are ruthless predators, fabulously wealthy themselves and direct agents of the financial oligarchy.

On Thursday, the WGA issued a brief press statement: “The WGA and AMPTP met for bargaining today and will meet again tomorrow. Your Negotiating Committee appreciates all the messages of solidarity and support we have received the last few days, and ask as many of you as possible to come out to the picket lines tomorrow.” According to reports, no agreement has yet been reached on residuals, minimum staffing or Artificial Intelligence: in other words, all of the critical issues.



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