Hollywood studios’ negotiator dies at 69

Nick Counter led the studios through two grueling writers’ strikes

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updated 11:59 p.m. ET Nov. 7, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Nick Counter, a longtime negotiator for Hollywood producers who led the studios through two grueling writers' strikes last year and in 1988, has died. He was 69.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers says Counter died at a Los Angeles hospital on Friday.

Counter served as the group's president for 27 years and negotiated more than 300 collective bargaining agreements with entertainment industry guilds and unions on behalf of movie studios, television networks and independent producers.

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Current AMPTP President Carol Lombardini says Counter's ability to find consensus at the bargaining table led to a sustained era of labor peace.

His family says he was most proud of his work with the industry health and pension plans.