In a significant breakthrough, striking writers in Hollywood have announced an “exceptional” deal with studios that may signal a path toward ending a crippling standoff that has brought the entertainment industry to its knees. This announcement has ignited hopes for a similar resolution with the striking actors, who have left film and TV production in limbo, causing substantial economic losses to California.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) conveyed the news of the tentative agreement in a letter sent to its members on Sunday, stating, “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 (minimum basic agreement), which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.” The letter emphasised that this deal offered substantial gains and protections for writers across all sectors of the membership.
While details of the agreement were not disclosed, the WGA stressed that the final decision to accept the deal rested with its membership. “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorised by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing,” the letter stated.
A joint statement from the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group representing studios and streamers, confirmed the agreement.
Since early May, thousands of writers had gone on strike, demanding improved pay, greater rewards for successful shows, and protection against the encroachment of artificial intelligence. The strike has led to months of picket lines outside major entertainment industry offices, severely disrupting film and television production.
In a show of unity, striking actors joined the picket lines in mid-July, leaving Hollywood’s bustling studios eerily empty. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, congratulated the WGA for its achievements and expressed its commitment to securing favourable terms for its members.
Negotiations between studios and writers had stalled for weeks until a recent surge in urgency, with the CEOs of major entertainment giants personally participating in the talks. Writers’ demands included increased salaries to match inflation, transparent streaming audience data, and safeguards against AI replacing human writers.
Even with the writers’ deal approaching finalisation, the actors’ strike remains unresolved. There have been no reported contract talks between studios and the 160,000-strong SAG-AFTRA guild since the actors’ strike began. However, given the shared demands and concerns between the two unions, insiders believe that a successful resolution for the writers could pave the way for an end to the actors’ strike.
SAG-AFTRA issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to their ongoing strike, urging studios and streamers to return to negotiations for a fair agreement. The eyes of the entertainment world now turn to the actors’ union as they await their own moment of breakthrough in a tumultuous year for Hollywood.
