Hollywood Writers Authorize a Strike. Will It Repeat the 2007 WGA Strike?
TV

If a new deal isn't reached within six days, a work stoppage could start as early as May 2, mostly affecting late-night talk shows.

AceShowbiz - Hollywood writers are close to a strike. On Monday, April 24, leaders of the Writers Guild of America, East, and the Writers Guild of America, West, announced that more than 96|percent| of the voting members voted yes for a strike. About 68|percent| of WGA members voted online over the weekend.

The result of the votes was announced a day before contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers resumes, which represents the makers of films and TV series. The existing three-year contract between the two sides expires at midnight on May 1.

The guild is asking for raises in minimums and script fees in an effort to offset changes in the nature of TV series production that have hit writers' earnings. As networks are ordering less episodes, writers are paid less compared to a few years ago. At the same time, staff writers are only allowed to work for one series at once, taking them off the market for up to a year. The guild also seeks an increase in employer contributions to the guild's health fund, which has begun to run steep deficits.

Insiders appear optimistic that a new deal can be reached within the next six days. But if there's not a deal by then, a work stoppage could start as early as May 2. A strike would first affect late-night talk shows, which rely on daily writing.

The AMPTP has released a statement in response to the strike authorization announcement, "The companies are committed to reaching a deal at the bargaining table that keeps the industry working. The 2007 Writers Strike hurt everyone. Writers lost more than $287 million in compensation that was never recovered, deals were cancelled, and many writers took out strike loans to make ends meet. We remain focused on our objective of reaching a deal with the WGA at the bargaining table when the guild returns on April 25th."

In 2007, a writers strike lasted 100 days, costing the economy of Los Angeles an estimated $1.5 billion.

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