Talks break down in Hollywood writers' strike

by wsws (reposted)

Mon, Dec 10, 2007 8:43AM

Monday, December 10, 2007 :The negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents over 350 film production companies and studios, and the 12,000-strong Writers Guild of America (WGA), on strike for five weeks, came to an abrupt halt Friday evening. The end of the talks, which had been going on for seven days, came when AMPTP chief negotiator Nick Counter entered the room at the hotel where the union was discussing its own counterproposal to the latest offer from the studios and told the WGA that they had to immediately accede to the AMPTP’s demand to take several key proposals off the table.

According to the WGA’s account, the union replied that it was still drafting its counterproposal and that it would not accept ultimatums. At this point, Counter informed WGA representative David Young, “In that case, we are leaving and breaking off negotiations. When you send us a letter confirming you will take all these items off the table, we will make an appointment to resume negotiations with you.”

In a matter of minutes, the AMPTP had posted on the Internet a statement announcing the breakdown in talks and denouncing the guild for its unreasonableness and intransigence. In derisive language, the AMPTP statement read: “While the WGA’s organizers can clearly stage rallies, concerts and mock exorcisms, we have serious concerns about whether they’re capable of reaching reasonable compromises that are in the best interests of our entire industry.”

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For more information: http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/dec2007/...

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