Last Minute Talks Fail: Picketing Begins

Posted on November 5, 2007

After a marathon bargaining session that lasted until 10:00 p.m. Sunday night, negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP totally fell apart, with both sides blaming the other for being unreasonable. The intensity of the negotiations and word that both sides were giving in on some issues led to some early optimism yesterday. But the WGA refused to stop the walkout for a few days to keep talking and the AMPTP made proposals that would essentially end residuals for new media and that was that.

Before midnight, the WGA issued this statement:
"Early today, the WGA completely withdrew its DVD proposal, which the Companies said was a stumbling block. Yet, the Companies still insisted on the following:
"--> No jurisdiction for most of new media writing.
"--> No economic proposal for the part of new media writing where they do propose to give coverage.
"--> Internet downloads at the DVD rate.
"--> No residual for streaming video of theatrical product.
"--> A 'promotional' proposal that allows them to reuse even complete movies or TV shows on any platform with no residual. This proposal alone destroys residuals.
"--> A 'window' of free reuse on the Internet that makes a mockery of any residual.
"The AMPTP made no response to any of the other proposals that the WGA has made since July. The AMPTP proposed that today's meeting be 'off the record', meaning no press statements, but they have reneged on that."

Picketing is now ongoing on both coasts, with well-known writerly faces such as Tina Fey joining the picket lines. Most talk shows immediately went dark as of today.