One part of the Hollywood Strike has ended for now.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have recently come to a "tentative agreement" that brings "exceptional terms" to Hollywood writers.
The two parties were reportedly close to making an agreement on Sept. 21; both parties were expected to finalize a deal on Sept. 22.
WGA - AMPTP New Deal
Here’s the #WGA member email in its entirety: pic.twitter.com/Ma8NS7tqxd
— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) September 25, 2023
The WGA wrote in an email to members on Sept. 25 that it reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP regarding their pay, working conditions, and more. According to the WGA's email (via X.com), the agreement it made with the AMPTP was exceptional - with "meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership."
Unfortunately, the union's leadership couldn't share the deal's details until its language is finalized. The WGA explained in its email that revealing the agreement's details now would "complicate [its] ability to finish the job."
Once the WGA is done finalizing the agreement's language, however, writers can view the agreement's details and approve it if they find them agreeable. Bloomberg's report reveals a general idea of what the deal's details are, which are the following:
- increased salaries
- Transparency on viewership data
- bonuses for high-performing shows, and
- guarantee a minimum number of staffers on shows
The deal doesn't mean that writers will be returning to work anytime soon. WGA stated that its members won't return to work until it specifically gave its authorization. This event could happen after it finalizes the deal's language.
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It is unknown if the deal also covers job protection from studios' use of generative AI tools to create scripts for productions. You may recall that the WGA wants the AMPTP to implement regulations that would prohibit generative AI tools from being used to write, rewrite literary material for projects, or even be used as source material.
Nevertheless, the WGA is pleased with how the negotiations went after 146 days of going on strike since May 2. The union commented that the leverage the strikes provided, along with the support of its union siblings, brought the AMPTP back to the negotiating table.
However, according to Gizmodo, WGA members could still reject what's offered in the agreement. Should that happen, the WGA and AMPTP must return to the negotiating table before another strike is called.
Striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) members picket with striking SAG-AFTRA members outside Netflix studios on September 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
SAG-AFTRA's Strike
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) congratulated the WGA on its tentative deal, per Business Insider. However, this show of goodwill doesn't mean SAG-ATRA is yielding on the negotiating table, nor is it a sign that its strike will end anytime soon.
As such, despite the end of the WGA's strike, Hollywood can't return to producing the content the masses are waiting for anytime soon. For those unaware, both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA called for better compensation and protection against AI - especially the use of generative AI tools in Hollywood.
As of press time, there is no progress toward ending the SAG-AFTRA strike, even when it is voting on authorizing a strike against the gaming industry.
Related Article: WGA Strike Could Soon End; Deal With AMPTP Likely
