Writers spurn studios on talks

WRITERS SPURN STUDIOS ON TALKS
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Richard Verrier]
In a development that underscores the deteriorating state of labor relations in Hollywood, the chief negotiator for the major studios Monday accused the union that represents TV and film writers of jeopardizing production by rejecting his request to enter early contract talks. J. Nicholas Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers, said his offer to begin negotiations in January had been spurned by David Young, executive director of the Writers Guild of America, West. Instead, Counter said, Young proposed beginning talks in September, just before the writers' contract expires Oct. 31. The failure to schedule early contract talks reflects rising labor tensions in Hollywood that eventually could lead to a strike or work slowdown if they aren't defused soon. Writers and actors believe that they were shortchanged for years by studios during the DVD boom, and have vowed not to let it happen again as Hollywood moves toward the digital delivery of entertainment. The studios' contract with actors expires in 2008.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-writers28nov28,1,1154711.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-business
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