WGA: Both sides want to resume talks

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Both the Writers Guild of America and the studios and networks they are striking against reportedly want to resume talks to end the walkout that began Monday.

"I think both sides want to continue negotiations," WGA West executive director David Young told Variety. "We are not getting a divorce."

The trade paper said five key stumbling blocks remained at the start of talks Sunday and two were left by the dinner break, prompting members of both camps to feel progress could have been made had negotiations continued.

Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers president Nick Counter said the talks collapsed when the WGA East Web site reported the strike had started while talks were still in progress.

"We asked the WGA if they'd be willing to put a pin in the strike so we could continue negotiations, and (WGA East leader) Mona (Mangan) and David Young said no," Counter said. "I'm shocked and chagrined over what happened."

Young said he told the AMPTP at noon Sunday the WGA was willing to talk all night, but would not call off the strike.

No new talks are planned.

"The outlook for future WGA negotiations is pretty bleak," Counter said.