EXCLUSIVE: As the deadline approaches to stave off an impending writers’ strike, IATSE President Matt Loeb told his local leaders that it will likely be all or nothing when the WGA’s current contract expires Monday night at midnight PT, and that “he doubts about an extension “. is in the cards.”
That assessment was presented to members by Chuck Parker, National Executive Director of the Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800, who attended a meeting today with Loeb and other union leaders.
However, Loeb reportedly told his team that there is “currently no new or known information about the status of negotiations” between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which began on March 20.
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Loeb also told his team he expects to hold talks with Ellen Stutzman, the executive secretary of WGA West and the guild’s chief negotiator, and Lowell Peterson, the executive director of WGA East, by Tuesday.
Earlier on Friday, Loeb sent a message to his members in the US saying they have a “legal right” to honor WGA marches if and when a strike is called.
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In his summary of the meeting with IATSE leaders, Parker wrote of the WGA discussions: “Based on past experience with the AMPTP, employers can drag their feet and position. We shouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t even discussed the most important issues for the Writers Guild with the CEOs of their member companies. However, we must be clear at the moment that the WGA is a union and therefore a victory for the AMPTP can only be seen as a loss for all of us. We must act in solidarity as a trade union!”
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
