WGA strike: The Hollywood Writers Association and studios have reached a tentative agreement, potentially ending a months-long strike

Los Angeles
CNN
—

Major film and television studios and striking writers reached a tentative agreement Sunday after days of marathon negotiating sessions, the Writers Guild of America said Sunday evening, paving the way forward to end a historic work stoppage that froze production and It paralyzed a lot of Hollywood.

“What we have won in this decade — and, in particular, everything we have gained since May 2 — is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, to show its solidarity, to walk shoulder to shoulder, and to bear the pain.” “And the uncertainty of the past 146 days,” the WGA said in an email to members on Sunday. “It is the leverage generated by your strike, coordinated with the extraordinary support of our union brothers, that has finally brought companies back to the table to make a deal.”

The terms of the agreement were not immediately known.

While the agreement still needs to be ratified by WGA members, who represent more than 11,000 writers, this marks an important turning point. The strike has been ongoing for about five months. The current strike has come close to overcoming the longest strike in WGA history, a 1988 strike that lasted 154 days.

“We can say, with pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every membership sector,” the WGA said in its letter to members.

However, the tentative agreement does not end the strike immediately.

“To be clear, no one may return to work except with specific permission from the union. We remain on strike until then,” the WGA wrote. “But, effective today, we will suspend WGA picketing.” The union encouraged members to Join the picket line for the actors’ strike instead this week.

The actors union SAG-AFTRA has also been on strike since mid-July. SAG-AFTRA represents about 160,000 actors.

Both Hollywood forays have been long and expensive Economic impact at the national level More than $5 billion, according to economists. Industries such as restaurants, service companies and prop shops have also felt the effects of the ongoing conflicts and have been forced to reduce staff as a result. In New York, the disruption of 11 major productions resulted in the loss of $1.3 billion and 17,000 jobs, according to Empire State Development.

It said in its statement that it may allow its members to return to work on Tuesday before the official ratification of the agreement by union members.

As a result, the book will likely be back in business within just days, one person familiar with the matter said.

People familiar with the matter expressed optimism Sunday night that the studios’ agreement with the writers would also allow them to reach an agreement with the actors.

Revenue streams from traditional linear TV have declined, and streaming services are losing money — as they grow. Live show seasons also tend to be shorter, which means less work for writers.

The writers said they could not live under the current economy and pay structure in the television and film industry, with fewer job opportunities on many shows and lower wages for many writers who find work. There are many successful, even award-winning, writers who find themselves unable to make a living in this profession anymore.

Writers are also concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence and want protections to ensure films and shows are written by humans, not machines.

In fact, the use of generative AI in production has been one of the final sticking points, said a person familiar with the matter.