Writers Guild, studios to use mediator

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios, producers and TV networks have agreed to bring in a federal mediator for their next negotiating session.

The contract between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expires Wednesday. The next talks are scheduled for Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"We worked very hard to narrow the issues and reach an agreement, but many issues remain unresolved," said APMTP President Nick Counter. "We will meet on Tuesday with the federal mediator, who has been assigned by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service."

The guild has voted to authorize a strike once the contract expires. But the writers, who last struck for five months in 1988, could continue working under the old contract terms.