The Writers Guild of America has announced that their months-long strike is coming to an end just after midnight.
“The WGA reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP,” the Writers Guild East began in a jointInstagrampost with the Writers Guild West.
“Today, our Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board, and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement. The strike ends at 12:01 am PT. Check out our deal at wgacontract2023.org/deal.#WGAStrong,” the announcement read.
Terms of the agreement will include a five percent minimum pay increase once the contract is complete. Additional bumps are set for 2024 and 2025.
The new deal was struck with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which represents Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — after the two organizations met on Wednesday and again on Sunday.
Although the contract has yet to be ratified, writers can now return to work.
WGA West/ WGA East/ Instagram
Thenew agreement, which is valid from Sept. 25 through May 1, 2026, will include “increased foreign streaming residuals” and a “viewership-based streaming bonus.”
“Each writer on a writing team employed for a script will receive pension and health contributions up to the relevant cap,” the contract says. “In addition, when a writing team is employed on a series, the contribution for each writer on the team will be made on the full weekly minimum instead of one-half of the weekly minimum.”
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The ongoing strike resulted in some projects being canceled or delayed across film and television.Late-night talk showsincludingThe Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon,Jimmy Kimmel Live,Late Night withSeth MyersandThe Late Show With Stephen Colbertall showed reruns during the hiatus.
Celebrities took to social media to share their excitement about the agreement.
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
FormerFamily TiesstarJustine Batemanwrote, “Well played,#WGANegotiating Committee. The gains are huge.”
Robin Thede, actress and creator of HBO’sA Black Lady Sketch Show,wrote on X, “Wow! This WGA deal is INCREDIBLE.”
“The erosions we were seeing have been corrected and the years ahead have a solid foundation that values our worth and fosters the advancement of future talent,” she continued. “Now - showrunners, it’s up to you to make sure that ALL writers benefit!”
Although the WGA strike is ending, theSAG-AFTRA strike, the union that comprises the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is still ongoing after failed contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers." Their strike began on July 13.
Actors banned together to call for better compensation and benefit plans.
source: people.com
