Hollywood writers agree to end five-month strike after studio deal

The strike by Hollywood writers came to a conclusion at midnight Pacific time (07:00 GMT) on Wednesday, concluding nearly five months of industrial action. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) issued a statement indicating that union leaders unanimously voted to lift the restraining order and bring the strike to an end. The next step involves the 11,500 WGA members voting on a proposed three-year agreement that includes salary increases and safeguards related to the utilization of artificial intelligence.

Simultaneously, a separate dispute ensues involving actors, who are also engaged in a strike. This walkout, initiated by writers on May 2nd and joined by members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) on July 13th, stands as one of the lengthiest strikes to impact Hollywood in decades. The primary points of contention throughout the strike have been compensation and the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry.

Estimations suggest that the strike has incurred roughly $5 billion (£4.08 billion) in economic costs for the United States, according to Milken Institute economist Kevin Klowden. The disruption has led to the cessation of numerous high-profile American shows, including “Billions,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Hacks,” “Severance,” “Yellowjackets,” “The Last of Us,” “Stranger Things,” “Abbott Elementary,” as well as several daytime and late-night talk shows. Some of these programs are now poised to resume, with Bill Maher, host of HBO’s “Real Time,” announcing on social media that fresh episodes would return starting Friday.

Earlier in the week, screenwriters announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement with studio executives, though specific details were not disclosed.

It’s important to note, however, that the conclusion of the WGA strike does not signify a complete return to normalcy in Hollywood, as the actors’ union, which initiated its strike in July, remains engaged in industrial action. Much like the writers, actors are seeking improvements in wages, working conditions, and health and pension benefits. They are also eager to establish parameters for the integration of artificial intelligence in future television and film productions. The breakthrough achieved by the WGA could potentially serve as a model for SAG-AFTRA to formulate its own agreement with Hollywood studios.