WGA Introduces New Health Care Demands That Could Prolong Strike

deadline.com:

The Writers Guild introduced new demands on Friday that could prolong the three-month strike even longer. The demands include a point that the companies agree to “a health care benefit extension” that would give striking writers more time to qualify for the health coverage that many face losing because of a lack of earnings during the work-stoppage.

Friday’s meeting was held to discuss terms for a possible return to the bargaining table. But instead of bringing them closer to a deal to end the strike, it may have only moved them farther apart.

Under the old contract, writers had to earn at least $41,773 a year to qualify for health care coverage. But with three-months – and counting – of earnings already lost because of the strike, writers will have less time to attain that earnings threshold once the strike is over.

According to a statement released by the guild last night, Ellen Stutzman, the WGA’s chief negotiator, “made clear” to the AMPTP that “in addition to a comprehensive response from the AMPTP on our proposals in all work areas, we will need to address issues arising from the strike, including a health care benefit extension” and “additional” funding to the guild’s Pension & Health Fund.