Global Courant
Writers Guild of America members walk the picket line in front of Amazon studios on the first day of their strike on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Culver City, CA.
Jay L. Clendenin | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
Hollywood’s writers and studios have a tentative employment agreement.
Talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers resumed last week after months of starts and stops, eventually leading to a tentative deal that would end the ongoing writers’ strike.
The WGA and AMPTP are still drafting final contract language.
“What we have won in this contract – especially everything we have won since May 2 – is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, show its solidarity, walk side by side and endure the pain . and uncertainty of the past 146 days,” the WGA negotiating committee wrote in a letter to members on Sunday evening. “It is the influence generated by your strike, coupled with the extraordinary support of our union brothers, that ultimately brought the companies back to the table to make a deal.”
Hollywood writers initiated a work stoppage in early May because negotiations with studios and others failed Disney, Decisive, Universal And Warner Bros. Discovery. Television and film writers sought protection from the use of artificial intelligence, in addition to increases in compensation for streamed content.
The WGA did not reveal what provisions were ultimately included in the preliminary contract, but told union members that “this deal is exceptional – with meaningful benefits and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
Once the WGA and AMPTP agree on the language in the contract, the bargaining committee will vote on whether to recommend the agreement and send it to the WGAW board and WGAE council for approval. The board and council will then vote on whether a vote on ratifying the contract should be approved by the membership.
WGA leadership noted that the strike is not over and that no guild members will be allowed to return to work until the agreement is officially ratified. Members were encouraged to remain in solidarity with striking actors on the picket lines.
“SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resilience and solidarity on the picket lines,” the acting guild wrote in a statement on Sunday. “While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s preliminary agreement, we remain committed to reaching the necessary terms for our members.”
After negotiations with writers, the AMPTP will have to turn its attention to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike since mid-July and are seeking contract updates similar to those requested by the writers.
Hollywood performers want to improve wages, working conditions, health and retirement benefits, and set up guardrails for the use of AI in future television and film productions. In addition, the union is seeking greater transparency from streaming services about viewership so that remaining payments can be made fair for linear TV.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
