Producers postpone contract talks with writers

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN2330906520070723

Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:41AM EDT

By Carl DiOrio

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - It's hurry up for one Hollywood labor group and wait for another.

The Writers Guild of America's film and TV contract talks have stalled until at least August because studio representatives have told the writers that they first have to wrap an agreement with some blue-collar union locals whose contract is about to expire.

The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers is scheduled to resume negotiations with Teamsters Local 399 and several craft unions 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."

FULL story at link.

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