Temporary hold on WGA, AMPTP talks

The WGA's film and TV contract talks have stalled until at least August because studio reps have told the writers that they first have to reach an agreement with Teamsters Local 399.

The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers is scheduled to resume negotiations with Teamsters Local 399 and several craft unions on July 30-31. It's believed that an agreement is close for the drivers, electricians, plumbers and others, but nothing is guaranteed. Those workers' current pact is set to expire July 31.

In the meantime, the talks for movie and broadcast scribes are on hold.

"They have told us they will be unable to meet until those negotiations conclude," WGA West spokesman Neal Sacharow said Friday. "We've indicated to them (that) we are prepared to meet whenever they are ready to negotiate."

An AMPTP spokesman confirmed that the studio group said it can't meet again with the WGA until after its talks with the Teamsters group. This week is lost for any writers sessions because the AMPTP is preoccupied with prep work for the Teamsters talks, the spokesman said.

07/27