Title: Contract Negotiations Update: Writers Guild Criticizes Studio Counteroffer as Insufficient and Demands Protection
Los Angeles, CA – In an ongoing effort to secure a fair contract, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) provided an update on the progress of negotiations with studios and streamers since August 11. However, the latest update reveals a lack of progress as the WGA deems the companies’ counteroffer insufficient and failing to address their concerns.
In an email sent to its members, WGA leadership expressed disappointment in the studios’ response, stating that it does not fully protect writers and their interests. To emphasize their position, the WGA included a chart outlining the potential annual cost to each studio if they were to agree to the WGA’s proposal.
A meeting between Guild leaders and studio executives on August 24 resulted in a six-page document outlining the studios’ offer. Displeased with the proposal, the WGA claimed it did not adequately safeguard writers and accused the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) of not bargaining in good faith.
Negotiations have left the industry in a state of limbo, with hopes of reaching an agreement. The WGA emphasized that their demands are driven by the membership and aim to address the threats faced by writers due to changes in the business model.
The WGA specifically criticized the AMPTP’s proposal for lacking sufficient protection for screenwriters and Appendix A writers in Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) categories. Furthermore, the WGA expressed dissatisfaction with the AMPTP’s stance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) protections and their refusal to regulate the use of work to train AI systems.
Although the AMPTP offered guarantees of minimum staff size and duration for television shows, the WGA found loopholes and limitations within the proposal. Additionally, the AMPTP offered the participation of six WGA staff to study limited streaming viewership data, but the WGA argued that this did not adequately address the issue of viewership-based residuals.
The WGA remains steadfast in their demands, asserting that they are fair, reasonable, and within the means of the companies. Despite the AMPTP’s attempt to bypass the WGA, the guild remains committed to direct negotiations, hoping to reach a deal and bring an end to the ongoing strike.
As the struggle for a favorable contract continues, industry insiders eagerly await the outcome, hoping for a resolution that will protect the rights and livelihoods of writers in the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.
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