After days of intensive negotiations, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced a tentative agreement with major film and television studios on Sunday, signaling a potential resolution to the historic strike that has disrupted Hollywood for nearly five months.
In an email to its members, the WGA credited the membership’s unity, solidarity, and willingness to wield their power as key factors in securing the gains achieved in the contract. The strike, which began on May 2, has been a monumental effort for the union, and the leverage generated by the strike and support from other unions played a pivotal role in bringing the studios back to the bargaining table.
While the specific terms of the agreement were not immediately disclosed, it represents a significant milestone in the strike. However, the strike is not immediately over, and members are instructed not to return to work until authorized by the Guild. Nevertheless, WGA picketing has been suspended as of the announcement, with members encouraged to support the actors’ strike instead.
SAG-AFTRA, representing around 160,000 actors, has also been on strike since mid-July.
The strikes in Hollywood have been protracted and costly, causing a nationwide economic impact estimated at over $5 billion. Various industries, including restaurants, service companies, and prop shops, have been affected by the ongoing disputes, leading to staffing reductions. In New York alone, 11 major productions faced disruption, resulting in a loss of $1.3 billion and 17,000 jobs, according to Empire State Development.
The WGA may authorize its members to return to work before the official ratification of the agreement on Tuesday, potentially allowing writers to resume work within days.
There is optimism that the studios’ agreement with the writers may pave the way for a resolution with the actors. The changing landscape of the industry, with declining revenue from traditional television and losses in the streaming sector, has been a central issue. Writers have expressed concerns about the industry’s current economics, including fewer job opportunities and reduced pay. Additionally, they seek protections against the increasing use of artificial intelligence in content creation, advocating for human involvement in writing movies and shows. The issue of generative artificial intelligence in production was one of the final sticking points in negotiations.
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