Hollywood writers' strike begins as talks collapse

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Hollywood writers went on strike Monday after last-minute talks aimed at ending a standoff between studios and wordsmiths collapsed, with the union demanding a share of cash brought in from DVDs and online distribution of shows.

"The strike is on," Writers Guild of America spokeswoman Sherry Goldman told AFP.

The strike deadline was a minute into Monday in each US time zone, meaning writers in New York City were the first to walk off their jobs, according to Goldman.

An 11th-hour negotiating session was held with the help of a federal mediator Sunday, but it broke down without achieving any results.

Members of the 12,000-strong union plan to begin picketing Monday morning at major studios in the Los Angeles area and outside NBC...