Writers Deny Rumors of Studio Pact

The Writers Guild of America denied rumors spreading through Hollywood on Thursday that it had reached agreement on a new contract with studios. But the union did confirm that informal communications have continued since talks broke down on March 1.

The two sides are expected to resume talks sometime after April 15 to try to resolve differences before the contract expires at 12:01 a.m. on May 2.

Major money issues separate the two sides, involving residuals paid to writers for work that airs on cable television, in foreign markets, on the Fox network and for films on videocassette and DVD.