The Writers Guild of America and major movie studios and streamers have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that promises to end the 146-day strike that has weighed heavily on Hollywood’s shoulders.
Variety reports that negotiators from the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached the milestone Sunday after five consecutive days of negotiations. Day four on Saturday mostly involved guild lawyers and AMPTP fine-tuning the fine print of the language around complicated and game-changing additions to the WGA’s basic minimum agreement. The essential details of the language regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in content production were one of the last elements the parties worked on before closing the pact.
“We can say, with great pride, that this agreement is exceptional – with significant gains and protections for writers in every member industry,” the WGA’s negotiating committee wrote in an email sent to members at 7:10 p.m. PT (Full text below).
The strike itself will still be in effect through the guild’s contract approval and ratification process. But since Sunday evening the pickets have been suspended. Corporate leaders are expected to vote on Tuesday on whether to formally lift the strike order against the AMPTP signatories.
“To be clear, no one will be able to return to work until expressly authorized by the Guild. Until then we will still be on strike,” reads the message to members.
Details of the contractual agreement will not be released until the final version is completed in the coming days. WGA leadership plans to vote Tuesday on the final pact. The negotiating committee will first vote on whether to recommend that the deal go to the WGA West board and the WGA East board for a vote. Assuming both votes approve the pact, the contract will be sent to the WGA’s 11,000 members for ratification.
“While we are eager to share with you the details of what has been accomplished, we cannot do so until the last ‘i’ is dotted,” the message to members reads. “To do so would complicate our ability to get the job done. So, since you have been patient with us in the past, we ask that you be patient again, one last time.”
After nearly five months of strike action, it is very likely that members will be pleased with the agreement, especially with the enthusiastic support of WGA leaders. With the momentum built this week, negotiators have begun to treat Sunday’s approaching Yom Kippur holiday as a firm deadline.
The report goes on to say that the end of the WGA strike will hasten the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike. It will also begin the process of returning the creative community to its typical cycles of content production, distribution, marketing and promotion.
Hollywood can’t wait to get back to work. But after a five-month pause in production, studios and streamers will need time to get shows and movies back on their feet. As word about progress at the bargaining table spread earlier this week, quiet planning for a return to production intensified with producers and executives inquiring about the availability of soundstages and other production resources. The parties returned to the negotiating table on September 20, after talks had stalled for a month.
I know I’m excited for shows and movies to get back to work creating new content! I can’t wait for new seasons of my favorite shows and movies to get back on track, not to mention a normal return to Comic-Con! Which films and series are you looking forward to seeing back in production?
by Jessica Fisher
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
