Hollywood Writers Strike Could End Soon After Tentative Deal Reached
WGA and AMPTP Reach Agreement in Principle, Subject to Member Approval
Hollywood Writers Strike Could End Soon After Tentative Deal Reached
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) signed a tentative new deal with representatives of major studios and streamers on Sunday, which could bring an end to the ongoing writers' strike in Hollywood.
The WGA negotiating committee informed all members of the news through email. "We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language," the email added. "We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership."
Specific specifics of the WGA's tentative agreement were not published, but the guild indicated in its release that a summary would be supplied in advance of the membership ratification votes.
The new contract was negotiated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Paramount and Sony, after the two groups met face-to-face Wednesday and again digitally on Sunday.
The writers' strike, which officially started on May 2, has lasted more than 140 days. The union representing entertainment writers working in film, television, news and online media picketed all across America in demand of improved pay as well as stipulations over other critical concerns, like staffing obligations and term of employment.
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) also joined the strike, thus bringing Hollywood to a standstill. The strikes have also prompted some studios to delay the release of several blockbuster films.
The tentative arrangement between the WGA and AMPTP is a significant step towards ending the writers' strike and putting Hollywood back to work. However, the pact still needs to be accepted by the WGA membership before it can go into force.
