Hollywood writers reach “exceptional” deal with studios, ending strike

On May 2 of this year, writers in Hollywood went on strike, grounding production on film and TV shows to a halt. Generally speaking, they were striking to get higher wages, increased job security, and guardrails on the use of AI, among other things. The strike last nearly five months, but the other day, the Writers Guild of America announced that a “tentative” agreement had been reached.

We don’t yet know the details of the agreement, but in a statement, the WGA said that it was “exceptional.” I’m very curious to know exactly what the writers won. “You will hear from us again very soon,” they said.

I suppose it’s possible that things could fall apart at the last second, but with any luck this deal will stick. It’s been a long road, and I hope the writers got a fair shake. When Hollywood CEOs are being paid hundreds of millions of dollars per year while writers on successful series have to drive for Lyft to make ends meet, obviously something needs to change. And a favorable deal could provide a template for other unions to try and wrest some of the power back from their greedy bosses.

Hollywood writers make deal with studios, secure “meaningful gains and protections”

Here’s the WGA’s full statement:

"We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.What we have won in this contract – most particularly, everything we have gained since May 2nd – is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days. It is the leverage generated by your strike, in concert with the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that finally brought the companies back to the table to make a deal.We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.What remains now is for our staff to make sure everything we have agreed to is codified in final contract language. And though we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do that until the last “i” is dotted. To do so would complicate our ability to finish the job. So, as you have been patient with us before, we ask you to be patient again – one last time.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.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.To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.Finally, we appreciated your patience as you waited for news from us — and had to fend off rumors — during the last few days of the negotiation. Please wait for further information from the Guild. We will have more to share with you in the coming days, as we finalize the contract language and go through our unions’ processes.As always, thank you for your support. You will hear from us again very soon."

As the statement says, writers aren’t going to return to work until the deal is finalized. However, they will stop picketing.

Striking actors congratulate writers on reaching deal

Part of the reason the writers strike was so notable is because it happened alongside an actors strike; that hadn’t happened since the 1960s.

SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, went on strike on July 14. And they’re still on strike, but hopefully the resolution of the writers strike portends good things. “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,” the union said in a statement, per Deadline. “While we look forward to reviewing the WGA and AMPTP’s tentative agreement, we remain committed to achieving the necessary terms for our members.”

"Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines. 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."

So we’re not out of the woods yet. Late Night shows could return soon enough, but don’t expect any actors to appear on them. Writers can start planning new seasons of, say, The Last of Us, but production won’t begin until the actors’ strike is over. One thing at a time, but it’s good to get some movement.

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h/t Deadline