Hollywood Writers and Studios Reach Preliminary Labor Agreement
Hollywood’s writers and studios have recently come to a preliminary labor agreement after months of negotiations. This agreement, which is still being finalized, has the potential to end the ongoing writers strike.
Positive Outcome for Writers
The negotiation committee of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) expressed gratitude towards their members for their solidarity and perseverance throughout the 146-day strike. They believe that the leverage generated by the strike, along with the support of other unions, compelled the studios to return to the negotiating table and make a deal.
Work Stoppage and Studio Involvement
The strike began in May when negotiations between the WGA and studios, including Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery, broke down. The writers sought protections against the use of artificial intelligence and increased compensation for streamed content.
Contract Ratification Process
While the specific provisions of the preliminary contract remain undisclosed, the WGA assured its members that it includes significant gains and protections for writers across all sectors. Once the language of the contract is agreed upon, the negotiating committee will vote on whether to recommend the agreement to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval. Subsequently, the board and council will vote on whether to authorize a contract ratification vote by the membership.
Continued Strike and Solidarity
The strike is not yet over, and members of the WGA are advised not to return to work until the agreement is officially ratified. They are encouraged to continue supporting striking actors on picket lines. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ guild, congratulated the WGA on their progress and expressed their commitment to achieving favorable terms for their own members.
The Next Steps
Following the negotiations with writers, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will shift its focus to negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike since mid-July, seeking similar contract updates as the writers, including improvements in wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits, and transparency in streaming viewership for fair residual payments.
