As we enter week 3 of the WGA strike, an agreement has been reached for the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) to go back to the negotiating table without the writer’s returning to work in the meantime.  This had originally been a condition for the AMPTP to come back, but they have waived it.  Talks will resume on Monday, November 26th.

Why is this significant?  Well, the rule of thumb had been that if the strike went in to the new year, what was in the can would be the end of the season for most shows.  By returning to the table now, they have all of December to has out the contracts prior to this deadline.  Some shows have also said they would have problems with a five-week strike, so this gives them a week to get in under that wire also.

Thus far the AMPTP has been threatening to play hardball with everyone, so my gut says they aren’t ready to give much slack on their side of the table, but we’ll have to see.

And thanks to Michele for pointing out the site fans4writers.com.  If you’ve been sitting around wondering how you can express your stance behind the writers, this is the way to do it.