Global Courant
Unions representing thousands of Hollywood film and television writers reached a “tentative” deal with major studios on Sunday, ending a strike that lasted 146 days and brought pickets to productions and corporate offices across the country.
“WGA has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. This was made possible by the continued solidarity of WGA members and the extraordinary support of our union brothers and sisters who have joined us on the picket lines for more than 146 days,” said an e -email to WGA members. Sunday night.
The resolution followed a breakthrough in negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, or AMPTP, the group negotiating on behalf of the studios.
Writers from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Netflix offices in Los Angeles, on September 22, 2023.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
The two parties released a joint rack It was confirmed on Wednesday that they had met for negotiations and would resume talks on Thursday, raising optimism that a deal would be struck.
Negotiations resumed Friday and Saturday, the Writers Guild said, for four consecutive days of bargaining.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement after the strike ended. “After a nearly five-month strike, I am grateful that the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a fair agreement and am hopeful that the same can happen soon with the Screen Actors Guild,” said Bas .
“This historic strike has affected so many in Los Angeles and across the country. Now we must focus on getting the entertainment industry, and all the small businesses that depend on it, back on its feet and stronger than ever before,” she added.
Signs made for notable SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California, July 25, 2023.
Mike Blake/Reuters, FILE
SAG-AFTRA, currently in the midst of its own strike, congratulated the WGA on reaching an agreement. “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. While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s preliminary agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members,” the organization’s statement said.
“Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside writers on the picket lines. We remain on hold on our TV/theatre contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table. and deliver the fair deal our members deserve and demand,” the statement said.
Shortly after SAG-AFTRA’s statement, California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement on the end of the strike. “California’s entertainment industry wouldn’t be what it is today without our world-class writers. For more than 100 days, 11,000 writers have gone on strike over existential threats to their careers and livelihoods – expressing real concerns about the stress and anxiety felt by workers. I am grateful that the two sides have come together to reach an agreement that benefits all parties involved and can put much of California’s economy back to work,” Newsom’s statement said.
The longest strike in the history of the Writers Guild took place in 1988 and lasted 154 days.
The writers’ strike, which began on May 2, coincided with an ongoing work stoppage by a union representing about 160,000 actors, bringing activity in Hollywood to a standstill.
As with writers, the streaming model has reduced the residual payments actors receive when their shows or films are rebroadcast, according to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike since July 14.
This is a development story. Check back later for updates.
