Writers on shows like ER admit to mistreating directors

The threat of strike action has been looming over Hollywood for a year, and studios and network have already been making contingency plans in case writers walk out.

Mr Shea said: "In the next few months, the studios will be pressured from many sides to settle with the WGA, but we must make sure the studios know a strike can't be avoided at any cost."

Last October the WGA published a list of 42 demands, aimed at the inclusion of their members in the movie-making process.

They want writers to stay in employment while filming is taking place, and elimination of the possessory credit - "a film by..." - from movies, which is often the cause of disputes.

Instead directors have asked for a "code of preferred practices" to resolve these issues.

The writers have not responded to this proposal, although they did ask their members to improve their behaviour toward directors of TV series, admitting that such directors are often mistreated by writers.

Last year saw a six-month long strike by Hollywood actors, who boycotted commercials in a row over payments for work on cable TV and the internet.

British actress Liz Hurley was fined �70,000 by the Screen Actors Guild for breaking the strike to film a commercial for a cosmetics company.