Barbara
# AMPTP president requests meeting with WGA chief negotiator
**Variety** [reports](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/writers-strike-carol-lombardini-ellen-stutzman-wga-1235685400/) that Ellen Stutzman, the chief negotiator for the Writers Guild of America (WGA), has agreed to meet with Carol Lombardini, the president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), this Friday. Lombardini reached out to Stutzman directly to discuss the possibility of resuming labor contract negotiations. In a statement to its members, the WGA emphasized the importance of relying on official union channels for accurate information.
The WGA confirmed that further information will be shared with its members after the meeting. They urged caution in regards to rumors and assured their members that any important news would come directly from the union.
While nothing is certain, Lombardini’s initiative to resume negotiations with Stutzman suggests that the AMPTP recognizes the need to address the writers’ union’s concerns. The ongoing strike has brought many productions in the entertainment industry to a halt, and the AMPTP cannot afford to ignore the situation any longer.
# AMPTP’s approach to SAG-AFTRA’s strike differs
In contrast to the response from the WGA, the AMPTP has not shown the same level of willingness to engage in negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). In an interview with **Deadline**, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, revealed that despite their readiness to negotiate, the AMPTP has not attempted to contact them.
Crabtree-Ireland stated that since July 12, when the AMPTP informed them that they were not willing to continue talks, the union has not heard from them. He emphasized that SAG-AFTRA is prepared to return to the negotiating table at any time. The strike can only be resolved through dialogue, and Crabtree-Ireland urged the AMPTP to resume negotiations in order to get the industry back to work as soon as possible.
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*Citations:*
– [*Variety* article](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/writers-strike-carol-lombardini-ellen-stutzman-wga-1235685400/)
– [*Deadline* interview](https://deadline.com/2023/08/actors-strike-wga-strike-talks-duncan-crabtree-ireland-1235453221/)
