The writers' union rejected a "final" offer in June

The latest deal between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expired in May.

But writers have kept working while talks have been taking place.

The WGA wants a better deal for writers and rejected the AMPTP's "final" $32m (�18m) three-year offer on 4 June.

The WGA will now focus on a healthcare deal similar to that achieved by the Director's Guild of America (DGA).

The DGA package included more than $40m (�22m) in added health contributions.

DVD issue

"If the terms of the DGA wage increase and health care gains were applied to us, the value would be nearly twice what we were offered in June," said WGA West president Daniel Petrie Junior.

"It is also about 50% greater than the value of our hard-won and successful 2001 contract," he added.

WGA members initially wanted a greater share of profits from DVD sales - income the studios rely on to offset the cost of film-making.

Mr Petrie said they were disappointed they could not make more progress on this issue.