Tentative Agreement Reached in Writers Guild of America Strike
After nearly five months of strikes, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced on Sunday night that a tentative agreement has been reached between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), signaling a potential end to the prolonged labor dispute.
The WGA Negotiating Committee revealed that they have made significant progress in negotiations with studios, streaming services, and production companies, leading to the suspension of picketing as of Sunday. In an update, the committee stated, “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.”
While specific details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, the WGA emphasized that it is “exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
Despite the suspension of picketing, the strike remains ongoing, and the WGA made it clear that no one is authorized to return to work until further notice. The union encouraged its members to join actors on the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.
Before the strike can officially conclude, the WGA’s board and members must vote to approve the deal, a crucial step in the process.
The writers strike commenced on May 2, when approximately 11,500 WGA members went on strike, demanding better pay, larger staff sizes on television shows, and expressing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in scriptwriting. This strike marked the first screenwriters’ strike since 2007 and has become the longest such strike since 1988.
In a statement to Fox News, WGA West acknowledged the solidarity of its members and the support received from fellow unions during the 146-day-long strike, stating, “This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days.”
As the WGA takes steps toward potentially ending its strike, Hollywood actors, who joined the WGA members on strike in July, continue their picketing with no immediate resolution in sight. The entertainment industry awaits further developments as negotiations and discussions progress.
