Talks on hold while AMPTP wraps up other labor negotiations

Contentious negotiations ensued between the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers and the Writers Guild of America last month until the AMPTP suspended them in order to settle negotiations with other labor groups whose contracts expired July 31.

The WGA West, which recently revealed that it had stockpiled $9.2 million for an emergency strike fund,

met with Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers on July 16 to begin negotiations for a new basic agreement. Chief issue is residuals for work that is redistributed online or through mobile content providers. The AMPTP wants to hold off on a payment model for multi-platform projects, and instead conduct a three-year study on the best way to do this.

Talks soon turned hostile with each side criticizing the others proposals as unrealistic and unjust, and the AMPTP subsequently took their offer off the table. The AMPTP temporarily turned its attention away from the WGA to finish settling contracts with Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 along with several craft unions. Negotiations are expected to resume sometime before the contract expires on Oct. 31.