Writers’ Strike Comes to an End: New WGA Contract
The Writers Guild of America Strike is officially over after 148 days of work stoppage in Hollywood. After five months, it was announced on Tuesday, September 26, that Guild leaders would vote to end the strike.
“Today, our Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board, and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement,” in a shared post to social media referring to the guild’s Western and Eastern branches. “The strike ends at 12:01 am PT.”
The WGA reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. Today, our Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board, and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement. The strike ends at 12:01 am. Check out our deal at https://t.co/c0ULMXhPL7. #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/7z8kw9xI1p
— Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) September 27, 2023
At the beginning of May, screenwriters and actors marched on picket lines to demand better treatment, higher compensation, and stricter protections against Artificial Intelligence. As a result, several series’ like Abbott Elementary, Stranger Things, and several late-night and daytime talk shows halted production.
The WGA reached a three-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. According to Associated Press News, the decision to end the strike came two days after the deal with Hollywood’s biggest studios.
The new WGA contract outlines wage increases, AI protections, and staffing. “The number of writers will increase in proportion to a show’s number of episode-unless a single writer is hired to write all episodes,” stated Vanity Fair. As for wages, writers can expect a 12.5% pay increase.
Although writers have a deal, there is no deal for actors yet.
“We have no confirmed dates scheduled, and there will not be meetings with the AMPTP this week, stated a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson to Deadline on Tuesday.”
You can hear more about the end of the writer’s strike by watching the full video below.
