Preliminary Labor Agreement Reached in Hollywood’s Writers Strike
The recent labor agreement reached between Hollywood’s writers and studios is a significant milestone that brings great relief to all parties involved. The negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have been ongoing for many months, and last week’s talks finally resulted in a tentative deal. The WGA negotiation committee expressed sincere gratitude to its members for their unwavering solidarity and perseverance throughout the 146-day strike, acknowledging that their efforts were instrumental in bringing the companies back to the table to make a deal.
The strike started in May when negotiations broke down with major studios, including Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery. It was initiated by writers who were seeking protections against the use of artificial intelligence and increased compensation for streamed content. The WGA assured its members that the preliminary contract includes meaningful gains and protections for writers in all sectors, although the specific provisions have not been disclosed yet.
While the negotiating committee is still in the process of finalizing the contract language, they will vote on recommending the agreement to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval. It is important to note that the strike is not officially over until the agreement is ratified. Therefore, WGA members are encouraged to continue supporting striking actors on picket lines.
SAG-AFTRA, the acting guild, congratulated the WGA on their tentative agreement and expressed their commitment to achieving favorable terms for their own members. After resolving the writers’ strike, the AMPTP will shift its focus to negotiations with SAG-AFTRA, who have been on strike since mid-July, seeking similar contract updates.
Hollywood performers aim to improve wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits, and establish guidelines for the use of AI in future productions. Additionally, they seek greater transparency from streaming services to ensure fair residual payments compared to traditional TV. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all parties involved in reaching this preliminary labor agreement and hope that the negotiations with SAG-AFTRA will also result in a favorable outcome.
