The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced on their website that they, and the Producers association have agreed to resume talks on November 26th. The announcement was devoid of any details, but here’s what it said:
“Leaders from the WGA and the AMPTP have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on November 26. No other details or press statements will be issued.”
That’s good news… but I have to ask… WHAT THE HELL HAVE THESE 2 SIDES BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME!?!?! I’m not blaming either side here… but when you’ve got a major cultural industry like this… and when the jobs of OTHER PEOPLE (non-writers who are getting laid off because of production stoppages) are being laid off… then you get your asses into the bargaining room and you bloody well stay there until you come to an agreement!
This won’t mean as much to my American friends, but here in Canada when the NHL had it’s work stoppage a couple of years ago, hockey fans went NUTS when they heard that the owners and the Players Association hadn’t met to talk for an entire week. Hockey starved fans went crazy and DEMANDED the 2 sides get back in the room and keep talking.
I understand both sides here want to show the other that they can out wait each other, and I also understand that in hard negotiations you sometimes have to step back from the table to catch your breath and take a break for a day or 2. But how long have these two sides just been sitting on their asses and not even talking?!?! I have people I know in LA who effectively don’t have a job right now because of this mess.
Again, I’m not blaming just one side here, nor am I saying either side should cave in… but at least have your asses in the seats face-to-face with each other and scratch and claw inch by inch towards some common ground.
