StrikeWatch: AMPTP Agrees to Resume Talks with WGA

One piece of promising strike-related news: the two sides seem headed back to the negotiation table, at least for now.

The studios and networks have agreed to restart talks with the striking writers on November 26th, though said writers will remain on strike during the talks, after the studios dropped their demand that the strike had to cease before talks could begin anew.

It's rumored that CAA agent Bryan Lourd helped broker the agreement to return to the table.

A joint statement released by the WGA and the AMPTP said the following: ""Leaders from the AMPTP and the WGA have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on November 26. No other details or press statements will be issued." (Both sides had agreed to a press blackout.)

An email from WGA West President Patric Verrone, obtained by Variety, offered this statement:

"This announcement is a direct result of your efforts. For 12 days I have repeated that a powerful strike means a short strike. [...] Now it is equally important that we now prove that good news won't slow us down, either. We must remember that returning to the bargaining table is only a start. Our work is not done until we achieve a good contract and that is by no means assured. Accordingly, what we achieve in negotiations will be a direct result of how successfully we can keep up our determination and resolve."

It may not be the resolution those of in Hollywood have asked for but it's at least a sign of progress that the two sides will sit down again. Fingers crossed that it leads to some real momentum in terms of giving the striking writers some semblance of fair compensation.