Hollywood strike: WGA and AMPTP to meet again in August, as talks unresolved

The Writers Guild of America (WGA), in its latest statement, has said that it will meet with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) again in the fourth week of August 2023. Talks between the two trade bodies had been on for the past four days but remained unresolved.

“Last Friday, 102 days after they walked away from the bargaining table and put us out on strike, the AMPTP offered responses to our proposals in all work areas,” the WGA said on August 18 to its members.


“We met this week and continued to exchange proposals. We will continue to meet next week. Thank you for the many messages of support and solidarity as we talk with the AMPTP. As always, be skeptical of rumors from third parties, knowing that the Guild will communicate when we think there is something of significance to report," the statement to members further read.

Call to Action by WGA to members

On August 18, the WGA West issued a “Call to Action” to its members. Media consolidation is “one of the root causes of the strike,” it said and urged members to file public comments with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice in support of the proposed revisions to their Merger Guidelines.

The CTA comes after the guild released a report calling for government regulation of alleged “anti-competitive practices” of Disney, Amazon, and Netflix. The WGA accuses the three entertainment giants of “abusing their dominance to further disadvantage competitors, raise prices for consumers, and push down wages for the creative workforce”.

FAQs

Q1:When did the 2023 WGA strike begin?
The WGA 2023 strike began in May 2023. In July 2023, Hollywood actors of SAG-AFTRA joined the screenwriters in a strike for better pay and working conditions.

Q2:Did Hollywood actors strike before 2023?
The last major actors' strike in Hollywood was in 1980 and lasted 10 weeks. There was another strike in 2000 that lasted six months, before the 2023 one.