Governor meets with guild officials
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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, responding to calls that he get involved in the Hollywood writers’ strike, which had reached its eighth day, held a private meeting with union officials Monday, a spokesman said.
The governor was scheduled to have a similar, informal sit-down with unidentified studio executives today, said his press secretary, Aaron McLear. Several studio representatives said they were unaware of any such meeting.
‘The purpose is so he can talk to both sides and see what they are after and try to see how the state can be helpful,’ McLear said of Schwarzenegger’s peacemaking initiative.
A person close to the union said the meeting in Los Angeles was attended by chief negotiator David Young and Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West.
‘Anything that puts additional pressure on companies to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a reasonable deal is a good thing,’ said the guild official, who asked not to be identified because of the delicate nature of the talks.
--Mark Lifsher and Richard Verrier
