Could an end to both the Broadway stagehands and the Writers Guild of America strikes be in sight?
In just a few hours striking stagehands and Broadway producers are going back to the bargaining table, exactly one week after the work stoppage began and less than a week before the start of the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday weekend when most plays and musicals rake in millions of dollars.
According to representatives from both sides, negotiations will resume this weekend “at an undisclosed place and time.” The good news even prompted New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to weigh in about the move. The Bloomberg told news reporters that the scheduled talks “are a very important step forward.”
So, was the fact that the city is about to play host to millions of holiday visitors (many of whom are in town for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) and shoppers the key in getting the warring factions back to the bargaining table? I’m sure it was a factor, but regardless, the situation hasn’t changed and unless one group agrees to compromise the strike will likely continue.
Of course, my pal from high school who now lives in Connecticut is certainly hoping this weekend’s talks are successful. She has tickets to Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and a 5-year-old who will be devastated should the strike continue past December 1st.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood where film and TV writers have been on a nearly two-week strike against studios, hope remains alive.
According to news reports, both parties will return to contract negotiations on November 26th. However, until then the writers, who went on strike November 5th, say they will continue to stand their ground on the picket line. Though, strikers did note they were thrilled that leaders from each group were returning to the bargaining table.
“It’s a good message to hear around the holidays,” one striking writer told news reporters.
It’s anyone’s guess as to what pushed both sides back to the table. Though, the you have to figure the immense publicity the strike has received coupled with the writers being joined by actors on picket lines and producers taking out full-page newspaper ads to tell their side of the story had to have contributed to the decision.