October 22, 2007

End of Day Statement from AMPTP President Nick Counter

Don't confuse process with progress.  While we actually met today for the first time in 5 days, the WGA leadership again failed to address the producer’s proposals.  The WGA leadership dismissed the withdrawl of the producer’s recoupment proposal as insignificant despite their claim that this was a major impediment to reaching an agreement.  The WGA leadership has yet to make any movement on its own or the producer’s proposals.

Instead, they continue to pursue numerous financial proposals that would result in astronomical increases in our costs.  Their proposals would also further restrict our ability to promote and market TV series and films, and prohibit us from experimenting with programming and business models in New Media. 

Today's marketplace demands that we experiment, innovate and adapt to the transformative changes that confront us.  Instead of working toward solutions that would give the industry the flexibility it needs to meet today’s business challenges, the WGA continues to hold onto demands that would impose unreasonable restrictions and unjustified costs.

We continue to be committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement in order to keep the town working.  We hope our efforts are not futile as there is too much at stake.  A strike would be devastating to our industry and especially the livelihoods of those who depend on it.