George R.R. Martin hints that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes might become “long and bitter”

With a number of best-selling books to his credit, Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is one of today’s most renowned authors. Like most authors, Martin started out in obscurity and is familiar with the challenges faced by writers working in the film and television industries. He actively backs the Writers Guild strike, which has put a stop to the filming of shows and movies across America.

The studios’ refusal to negotiate with WGA

In his most recent blog on Not A Blog, Martin revealed that the relationship between the writers and the studios is worsening. He wrote:

“As for the writers… well, the studios are not even TALKING to us. All negotiations between AMPTP and the WGA shut down back in May when the strike started. It is hard to reach any agreement when the other side won’t even come to the table.

I joined the WGA in 1986 and have been through several strikes with them. We made gains in all of them, but some issues are more important than others… and this year’s strike is the most important of my lifetime. An unnamed producer was quoted last week saying the AMPTP strategy was to stand fast until the writers started losing their homes and apartments, which gives you a hint of what we’re facing.”

The writers’ and actors’ strikes “will be long and bitter”

Martin is impressed with the solidarity between the writers and actors, however, looking at the reaction from the studios, he feels that the situation won’t resolve anytime soon. He wrote:

“No one can be certain where we go from here, but I have a bad feeling that this strike will be long and bitter. It may get as bad as the infamous 1985 strike, though I hope not.”

“I joined the WGA in 1986 and have been through several strikes with them. We made gains in all of them, but some issues are more important than others… and this year’s strike is the most important of my lifetime. An unnamed producer was quoted last week saying the AMPTP strategy was to stand fast until the writers started losing their homes and apartments, which gives you a hint of what we’re facing.

But we ARE facing it. I have never seen such unity in the Guilds; the strike authorization votes for both SAG and WGA were as close to unanimous as we are ever likely to see.”

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