WGA members voted overwhelmingly to allow a strike. The vote, passed by nearly 98% of voting members, authorizes the WGA West Council and WGA East Council to call a strike if a fair agreement on a new film and television contract is not reached by May 1 not. the current agreement expires.
The two sides will resume negotiations today at 2:00 PM PT.
The votes were: 9,020 (97.85%) in favor and 198 (2.15%) against. The total number of votes cast was 9,218 (78.79% of eligible WGA members), setting a new record for both turnout and percentage support for a vote to authorize a strike.
“Our members have spoken,” the WKV negotiating committee told guild members. “You have overwhelmingly expressed your collective strength, solidarity and call for meaningful change. Armed with this show of unity and determination, we will continue to work around the negotiating table to reach a fair deal for all writers.”
Negotiations for a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which began on March 20, are now expected to get under way as the contract deadline approaches.
As voting began last week, the guild said: “A vote to authorize a strike, especially by a wide margin, gives the negotiating committee the opportunity to reach the best possible deal and gives leadership the power to ‘ a strike at the end of the contract if necessary.
The guild then said: “After several weeks at the negotiating table [the studios] failed to provide meaningful answers to important business questions in one of the WGA’s core areas of work – screen, episodic television and comedy variety. They politely listened to our presentations and took small steps in just a few areas, almost all of which involved feedback to offset any gains. In short, the studios have shown no signs that they intend to address the issues our members promised to resolve in these negotiations. “
In 2017 – the last time a strike permit was granted – it was approved by 96.3% of the 6,310 voting writers, with a record turnout of 67.5% of eligible WGA members. The last WGA strike, which started in 2007, lasted 100 days. This empowering vote was accepted by 90% of voters.
Earlier today, the AMPTP said: “An approval vote on the strike has always been part of the WGA plan and was announced before the parties even exchanged proposals. Its inevitable ratification should surprise no one. Our goal is and remains a fair and reasonable settlement. An agreement can only be reached if the guild is determined to focus on serious negotiations, discuss the issues fully with the companies and seek reasonable compromises.”
At the beginning of the negotiations, the guild’s pattern of demands, a long list of general objectives, was divided into three categories. They include:
Compensation and arrears
- Substantial increase in the minimum fee to counter the devaluation of writing in all areas of television, new media and feature films.
- Uniform compensation and residual terms for feature films, both in theaters and in streaming.
- Take action against the misuse of mini rooms.
- Ensures proper compensation for writing television series throughout the process of pre-production and post-production.
- Extend surge protection to cover all TV writers.
- Apply the MBA minimum to comedy variety programs created for new media.
- More residuals for undercompensated reuse markets.
- Limit uncompensated use of excerpts.
pension fund and health insurance company
- Increase contributions to the pension fund and health insurance fund.
Professional standards and precautions in the employment of writers
- Functional contracts where compensation falls below a certain threshold require weekly payment of compensation and a minimum of two steps.
- Strengthening the regulation of options and exclusivity in employment contracts for television writers.
- Regulate the use of material created using artificial intelligence or similar technologies.
- Take action to combat discrimination and harassment and promote equal pay
- Review and expand all referee lists.
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
