TheQuartering [9/27/2023]
Members of Hollywood’s writers union are celebrating a new deal with a 5 percent pay bump, streaming bonuses and protection against AI as they return to work.
The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) both voted to accept a new deal, and afterward declared that the strike would be over and writers would be free to work starting at 12:01am. Wednesday.
The writers still have to vote to ratify the contract themselves, but lifting the strike will allow them to work during that process, the Writers Guild told members in an email.
Hollywood actors remain on strike with no talks yet on the horizon, and writers are now being encouraged to walk in solidarity with actors.
The three-year agreement includes significant wins in the main areas writers had fought for, compensation, length of employment, size of staffs and control over the use of artificial intelligence.
As part of the deal, the new contract raises basic wages by 5 percent in the first year, which is then followed up with a 4 percent rise in the second year, and a rise of 3.5 percent in the third.
The guild also said that residual bases, the amount of compensation that is paid to writers for reruns, syndications etc, will also increase but at a lower rate.
One sticking point in negotiations had been the new dawn of streaming platforms, with writers not receiving a fair amount in residuals if their show drew huge viewership figures.
Now, the WGA has managed to negotiate a system that allows writers to be compensated fairly, with viewership data also being shared with the guild, which had been a central issue.
The WGA has also brought in regulations for studios and their use of artificial intelligence, which includes AI not being allowed to write or rewrite literary material.
The WGA negotiating committee said: ‘The WGA reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a new three-year Minimum Basic Agreement.
‘On September 26th, the Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement.
‘It will now go to both guilds’ memberships for a ratification vote. Eligible voters will be able to vote from October 2nd through October 9th, and will receive ballot and ratification materials when the vote opens.
‘The WGAW Board and WGAE Council also voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike as of 12:01 am PT/3:01 am ET on Wednesday, September 27th.
‘This allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not affect the membership’s right to make a final determination on contract approval.
Thousands of film and television scribes downed their pens in early May over demands including better pay, greater rewards for creating hit shows, and protection from artificial intelligence.
They have manned picket lines for months outside offices including Netflix and Disney, and were joined by striking actors in mid-July, leaving normally busy Hollywood lots all but vacant in a dramatic show of force.
Five days of intensive talks between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, culminated Sunday.
With hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could still then take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work.
Actors were on the picket lines Tuesday outside Netflix, being joined by members of the WGA who were there in support.
‘Our strike is over. But the battle goes on until the actors get their deal,’ said WGA member Vinnie Wilhelm.
