Hollywood Writers’ Strike Ends with Tentative Deal, Restarting Productions
After months of industrial action that brought Hollywood to a standstill, striking writers have announced a tentative deal with studios that could see them return to work. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) sent a letter to its members, stating that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 minimum basic agreement. While the letter did not provide specific details on the agreement, it highlighted that the deal includes meaningful gains and protections for writers across all sectors of the membership.
The agreement is currently subject to the drafting of final contract language, which will be presented to the membership for approval. Until then, the striking writers are instructed not to return to work unless specifically authorized by the Guild. However, as a sign of progress, the WGA has decided to suspend picketing activities.
The strike, which began in early May, was prompted by various demands from the writers, including better pay, increased rewards for creating successful shows, and protection against artificial intelligence (AI) replacing their jobs. Throughout the strike, writers have picketed outside major studios, including Netflix and Disney. Their cause gained further momentum when striking actors joined them in mid-July, resulting in a costly standstill for the US entertainment industry.
One of the primary concerns of the writers has been the stagnation of their salaries in relation to inflation, along with diminished residual earnings from streaming platforms. The writers also sought limitations on the use of AI, fearing that it could eventually replace them in generating scripts and further impact their pay.
The negotiation process had been stagnant for weeks until a recent push for urgency. The heads of major studios, such as Netflix, Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros Discovery, personally attended the talks, signaling a renewed commitment to find a resolution.
The financial implications of the strike have been significant, with the cost estimated to be around $5 billion by the start of September. The current strike has surpassed the duration of the writers’ strike in 2007-08, which lasted 100 days and cost the California economy $2.1 billion.
While the potential deal brings hope for striking writers, the actors’ strike is expected to continue. No contract talks have taken place between the studios and the 160,000-strong SAG-AFTRA guild since their strike began. However, there is optimism that a resolution for the writers could pave the way for progress in negotiations with the actors.
In summary, the Hollywood writers’ strike appears to be nearing a resolution with a tentative deal reached between the Writers Guild of America and the studios. While details of the agreement are yet to be finalized, both sides seem optimistic about the deal’s gains and protections for writers. The strike, which has halted production in the industry for months, could soon come to an end, allowing writers to return to work. However, the actors’ strike, which has been ongoing, is expected to continue until a separate deal is reached.
