The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers responded to the Writers’ Guild’s strike authorization vote on Monday.
After the WGA voted overwhelmingly to authorize a possible strike Monday afternoon, the producers group warned against the move, reminding that the writers’ strike in 2007 “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,” the statement continued. “We remain focused on our objective of reaching a deal with the WGA at the bargaining table when the Guild returns on April 25th.”
Writers guild members voted 96.3 percent in favor of authorizing a strike, with 6,310 ballots cast.
“We thank you for your resolve and your faith in us as your representatives,” read a WGA letter to members. “We are determined to achieve a fair contract. Talks will resume tomorrow.”
The guild had been negotiating a new contract for film and TV writers with AMPTP, but those talks broke down toward the end of last month. The WGA’s negotiating committee called for a strike authorization vote March 24, and talks were put on hold again after a two-week hiatus as WGA members voted last week.
A strike would begin on May 2, and would have an immediate effect on late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live,” which is set to return with a new episode on May 6.
Read the full AMPTP statement below:
“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.”