The Writers Guild of America went on strike on May 2, 2023, to protest their dissatisfaction with lower pay and less guaranteed work in the online streaming era. After a 148-day strike, the walkout has finally ended, making it one of the longest in history.
According to reports, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has reached an agreement on a new contract. Following this development, the WGA West board of directors and the WGA East council unanimously resolved on Tuesday to revoke the strike order, which was set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. PT on Wednesday. Writers can return to work as early as Wednesday, even before the final ratification vote.
The ratification vote will take place between October 2 and October 9, and the WGA will have member meetings this week on both coasts. To go over the contract’s specifics, sessions will be held both in person and via Zoom. The strike order was cancelled after the WGA’s negotiating committee, the WGA West board, and the WGA East council all voted unanimously to send the contract to members for approval.
Writers Guild of America West took to X and shared this news and wrote, “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 a.m.”
https://x.com/WGAWest/status/1706823193561067770?s=20
Credits: @WGAWest on X
WGA also issued a statement in which they divulged details regarding the new deal. The contract renewal, according to the WGA, offered authors with increased pay, health and pension contributions, as well as new worldwide streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses. There are also assurances on AI, which has been a point of dispute during the negotiations.