from contactUnions representing Hollywood studios and writers are engaged in last-ditch talks to avoid a strike that would halt the shooting of television shows.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) threatened to strike on Monday if its demands for improved pay for writers were not met. Its rival, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television (AMTP), is unwilling to pay writers greater royalties for DVD sales and increased revenue from new media.
If crucial talks being held today fail to reach an agreement on the apportioning of profits writers will refuse to pen scripts for television shows which would result in them being unable to film new shows. Daily talk shows such as the Tonight Show hosted by Jay Leno and the Late Show by David Letterman are most likely to be affected.
