“A cruel but necessary evil”: Hollywood Standoff Intensifies as WGA Strike Enters 72nd Day
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike continues to escalate, as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) remains unwilling to find a middle ground, instead intending to exhaust the writers before engaging in negotiations, according to a recent Deadline report. The AMPTP is waiting for writers to “bleed out,” the objective being to prolong the strike until union members experience severe consequences, such as losing their homes and apartments.
The WGA is now entering its 72nd day of the strike against AMPTP in hopes to secure a new contract that includes improved compensation and long-term benefits from the Hollywood studios. Major studios such as Warner Brothers, Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Discovery, Amazon, and others have been in touch with Wall Street, apparently in agreement to “break the WGA,” according to Vanity Fair.
Tensions are rising within both the AMPTP and the WGA as the Hollywood union SAG-AFTRA approaches a potential labor action strike in solidarity with the WGA. However, the AMPTP remains steadfast, intending to maintain its position throughout the upcoming fall months before considering further negotiations. A producer closely associated with the AMPTP, as reported by Deadline, said the plan is to endure until late October. until writers feel the financial strain caused by the strike. The AMPTP believes that this pressure will lead to a weakened position for the WGA and potentially force them to compromise their demands.
“The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses,” said the source.
With both sides standing firm and neither willing to back down, the stakes are high for the writers’ livelihoods and the future of the entertainment industry – the outcome of these negotiations will shape the landscape of Hollywood productions for years to come.