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Studios Say Writers Out $151M So Far

Losses are greater than potential contract value, they assert

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Dec 29, 2007 6:02 PM CST

(Newser) – As of Friday, Hollywood writers have lost more than they stand to gain—$151 million—in their eight-week strike for a new three-year deal, the studios allege in a video on their strike blog, the Hollywood Reporter reports. But the writers say the studios' current offer "would cause writers even more economic harm...than they claim this strike has caused."

Striking back on their blog, the writers allege the studios' "refusal to negotiate" has cost the LA economy $471 million and counting. The writers says the fundamental issue is pay for work distributed over the Internet and other digital media. The studios assert that union leaders "are focused on jurisdictional issues that would expand their own power."

Writer Elizabeth Johnson walks the picket line along members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of Paramount Pictures studios in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. The Hollywood strike is rewriting the holidays for idled workers entering a sixth week. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Writer Elizabeth Johnson walks the picket line along members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of Paramount Pictures studios in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. The Hollywood...   (Associated Press)
Jay Leno of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno greets supporters of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and others on the picket line in front of Universal Studios in Universal City, Calif., in this Nov. 13, 2007, file photo. Leno and Conan O'Brien's late-night shows will return to...
Jay Leno of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" greets supporters of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and others on the picket line in front of Universal Studios in Universal City, Calif., in this...   (Associated Press)
Actress and a non-union writer Shauni Weatherly wears Star Trek Vulcan ears as she walks the picket line to express her support for  members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of Paramount Pictures studios in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. The Hollywood strike is rewriting...
Actress and a non-union writer Shauni Weatherly wears Star Trek Vulcan ears as she walks the picket line to express her support for members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of...   (Associated Press)
Screenwriter Rafael Alvarez holds up a sign during a protest by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in their strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
Screenwriter Rafael Alvarez holds up a sign during a protest by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in their strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) Thursday, Dec....   (Associated Press)
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