WGA delays response to AMPTP

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Writers Guild of America says it will wait one day to respond to Thursday's proposal from Hollywood studios, producers and TV networks.

The WGA's contract expires Oct. 31 and members have already authorized a strike, which could begin as early as next Thursday.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers presented the WGA with a proposal Thursday in an effort to jump-start negotiations and avoid a strike, but the package did not address several key issues, such as higher DVD residuals and raises in the minimum rates for The CW and MyNetwork.

"Our employers are growing and dominate the global entertainment industry. Yet their opening offer would have rolled back our compensation by 50 percent," John F. Bowman, chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee, said in a statement.

"Now they decrease the rollbacks to 45 percent and proclaim that they are truly bargaining. Minor adjustments to major rollbacks do not constitute forward motion. To make a deal, the AMPTP must engage with us on the issues that matter in this negotiation."