Hollywood's writers' union said it reached a preliminary labor agreement with major studios on Sunday, a deal expected to end one of two strikes that have halted most film and television production and cost the California economy billions.

While workers across the entertainment industry waited for word of the outcome, no agreement was announced as the strike reached its 144th day.

"This wasn't a meeting to make a deal. This was a meeting to get us to cave," the committee said in a statement.