After 146 days, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a tentative agreement on ending the writer’s strike.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA’s negotiating committee said in an email to its members Sunday evening, several media outlets have reported.
Writers strike a deal
The WGA went on strike on May 2, wanting a new contract that would guarantee a way for writers to make a living off of their work. Some of the biggest areas of contention included regulating the use of artificial intelligence in writing, earning a living wage, requiring studios to have writing staff, honoring strikes from other unions, and earning residuals from streaming services.
Now, after months of striking, and five consecutive days of talks, the two sides have reached a tentative agreement.
The guild’s contract approval and ratification process will have to approve the deal before the strike officially ends, Variety notes. Leaders will vote on Tuesday to drop the strike. Picketing has been suspended though.
“To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then,” Sunday's email said.
The negotiating committee will now vote to recommend the deal go to a board vote for WGA West and the council of WGA East. If those bodies approve the deal, the negotiated contract will then go out to the guild's 11,000 members.
“To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then,” the message to members stated.
The SAG-AFTRA strike, which began on July 14, is still ongoing.
SAG-AFTRA sent its regards to the WGA on the deal.
“SAG-AFTRA congratulates the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days of incredible strength, resiliency, and solidarity on the picket lines. While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members,” the statement said, Variety reports.
“Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines," it continued. "We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand.”
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