More than 11,000 Hollywood writers had reason to celebrate over the weekend. The Writers Guild of America (WGA), the labor union that serves to protect the rights of film and television writers, reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Sunday night (Sept. 24).
The WGA began the strike on May 2nd, demanding higher compensation for writers, protections from emerging technologies threatening their roles, and adjustment to writers room minimums, to name a few. One of the longest strikes in WGA history, the battle between the two organizations endured for the entire 2023 summer, lasting 146 days.
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While WGA picketing in front of the media companies is temporarily suspended in response to the new development, the entertainment industry will not immediately greenlight productions as a draft of contract language is finalized and the AMPTP turns its focus on the SAG-AFTRA strike, now going on its third month. WGA does encourage members to join the actors union at the picket lines later this week.
In a joint statement released by WGA and AMPTP, the entities called the deal “exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.” The WGA reminds members that “no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild” and also details next steps in the process.
“Once the Memorandum of Agreement with the AMPTP is complete, the Negotiating Committee will vote on whether to recommend the agreement and send it on to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval. The Board and Council will then vote on whether to authorize a contract ratification vote by the membership.”
The statement continues, “If that authorization is approved, the Board and Council would also vote on whether to lift the restraining order and end the strike at a certain date and time (to be determined) pending ratification. This would allow writers to return to work during the ratification vote, but would not affect the membership’s right to make a final determination on contract approval.”
“Immediately after those leadership votes, which are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday if the language is settled, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the deal points and the Memorandum of Agreement. We will also convene meetings where members will have the opportunity to learn more about and assess the deal before voting on ratification.”
