The Hollywood writers strike, which lasted for several months, concluded on Wednesday after union leaders approved a proposed contract agreement with Hollywood studios. This paves the way for a ratification vote by union members.
The agreement, endorsed on Tuesday, permits writers to resume work starting from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, marking their return since the strike began on May 2. However, it remains uncertain how quickly writers will return to work, as some may choose to honor SAG-AFTRA picket lines.
“This allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not impact the membership’s right to make the final decision on contract approval,” stated the negotiating committee of the Writer Guild of America in a message to union members on Tuesday. “There will be meetings for current members this week before the ratification vote begins.”
The ratification vote by approximately 11,500 WGA members is expected to take place from October 2-9.
The proposed three-year contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing the studios, was announced on Sunday night following five consecutive days of negotiation, some of which involved the “Gang of Four” group of top studio executives: Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, Disney’s Bob Iger, Universal’s Donna Langley, and Warner Bros/Discovery’s David Zaslav.
With the endorsement of the East Coast and West Coast branches of the WGA on Tuesday, the union also released a detailed overview of the agreement. It includes gradually increasing minimum salaries, which will rise by 5% upon ratification, 4% in May 2024, and 3.5% in May 2025. Health and pension contributions will also see an increase.
The proposed contract also contains provisions restricting the use of artificial intelligence by studios. AI is prohibited from writing or rewriting literary material, and AI-generated content cannot be considered as source material that undermines a writer’s credit.
The proposal also introduces a new residual formula for streaming programs that offers higher pay for particularly successful shows. According to the guild, programs or films that are viewed by 20% or more of the service’s domestic subscribers in the first 90 days of release, or in any subsequent exhibition year, will receive a bonus equal to 50% of the fixed domestic and foreign residual.
Other provisions include increased pay for TV series writers and employment guarantees for a specific number of writers based on the number of episodes being produced.
A comprehensive summary of the contract proposal prepared by the WGA can be found at wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/summary-of-the-2023-wga-mba.
The SAG-AFTRA actors’ union joined WGA members on picket lines in mid-July, effectively halting all production.
With the WGA strike seemingly resolved, attention is expected to shift to negotiations with actors, possibly using the writers’ union contract proposal as a starting point for certain issues. However, actors are seeking larger salary increases. There has been no official announcement regarding the resumption of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP.
The actors union stated on Tuesday that there are currently no scheduled talks.
“At this time, we have no confirmed dates scheduled to meet with the AMPTP. When we do have dates confirmed, we will inform you. Unless you hear it from us, it’s hearsay,” SAG-AFTRA posted on X.
The AMPTP had previously reached a contract agreement with the Directors Guild of America.
Upon the announcement of the tentative contract agreement on Sunday, the WGA negotiating committee formally suspended the union’s picketing activities.
“Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week,” the committee urged members.
The committee also praised the determination of union members throughout the lengthy strike.
“What we have achieved in this contract — particularly everything since May 2nd — is thanks to the willingness of our membership to exert its power, demonstrate solidarity, side-by-side walking, enduring the pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days,” wrote members of the WGA negotiating team in a message to union members on Sunday night. “It is the leverage generated by your strike, along with the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that ultimately brought the companies back to the table to make a deal.
“We can proudly say that this deal is exceptional, with significant gains and protections for writers across all sectors of the membership.”
The flagship late-night talk shows of the three major networks are expected to be among the first entertainment shows to return. According to the Los Angeles Times, NBC’s “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” are set to resume production as early as next week.
Bill Maher, host of the weekly program “Real Time” on HBO, which is taped at CBS Television City in the Fairfax District, announced his return on X Tuesday, stating: “My writers and Real Time are back! See you Friday Night!”
Local leaders and even President Joe Biden praised the news of the agreement. Biden applauded both sides for reaching a tentative deal “that will allow writers to return to the important work of telling the stories of our nation, our world — and of all of us.”
“This agreement, including assurances related to artificial intelligence, was not achieved without difficulty,” said Biden in a statement. “Its formation exemplifies the power of collective bargaining. There is simply no substitute for employers and employees coming together to negotiate in good faith towards an agreement that strengthens businesses and secures the pay, benefits, and dignity that workers deserve. I urge all employers to recognize that all workers — including writers, actors, and autoworkers — deserve a fair share of the value their labor helped create.”
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