After 146 days of strike, Hollywood screenwriters reach tentative agreement with studios

It seems that the end of the crisis in Hollywood is coming. After nearly 5 months of strike, the writers won their case. The WGA (Writers Guild of America, the union of American screenwriters that protects their copyrights) finally reached an agreement – in principle – with AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) on Sunday, September 24th.

As a reminder, American screenwriters have been on strike for 146 days to improve their rights and working conditions, to increase fixed and residual wages (royalties), especially for streaming content, but also to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

The WGA committee told its members that this was a historic agreement in a statement: “We are proud to say that this agreement is exceptional – with significant gains and protections for writers and screenwriters in all sectors of the Union.”.

“The WGA and AMPTP have reached an agreement in principle. It was made possible by the continued solidarity of WGA members and the extraordinary support of our fellow union members who have stood by us for over 146 days. More details to come after the contract. Text complete. #WGAStrike”

The details of the new contract have not yet been released and will be announced only after it is approved and signed by the board of directors of both parties. The WGA also explained to its members in its press release:

“While we look forward to sharing with you the details of what has been achieved, we cannot do so until the endpoint is crossed.” Doing so will complicate our ability to get the job done. , please be patient once again – one last time.”

But writers are confident things will gradually change after strike pickets were lifted on Sunday evening following the announcement of an agreement in principle between the WGA and AMPTP. But the guild insists on one important point: The writers are still on strike and must not return to work until the contract is formalized.

It shouldn’t take long variety Clarifying that the approval vote should be held on Tuesday, it will then be sent to members for ratification of the final agreement. Everything will be decided in the coming days, and if the final agreement is signed by all parties, the screenwriters should be able to resume work soon, and possibly even in the “ratification process”.

This very good news was hailed by the DGA (Directors Guild of America) – which last May signed a new three-year strike-free contract with the studios:

“We are proud to support writers in their fight for a fair deal and look forward to discussing the details of the agreement. Now is the time for AMPTP to get back to the table with SAG-AFTRA and respond to the needs of performers.”

What about the actors?

If the writers seem to have reached an agreement with the studios, the situation is more delicate for the actors represented by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Profesional Actors’ Union). The Screen Actors Guild joined the Screenwriters’ Movement on July 14 to support them and fight for the same demands that led to the historic double strike.

So far, the studios have been refusing to negotiate with SAG-AFTRA for several weeks; Which makes the chances of getting a new agreement difficult. The actors’ and actresses’ strike caused a lot of noise and disrupted the film and television industry, delaying the shooting and release of films and TV series, as well as promotional operations.

SAG-AFTRA congratulated the WGA in principle on the agreement and highlighted the “strength, resilience and solidarity” of its members. The Screen Actors Guild is not hoping the same way as the Writers Guild:

“Since the start of the WGA strike, SAG-AFTRA members have stood with writers and screenwriters on the picket line. We continue to strike and continue to push studio and television executives for streaming services as well as AMPTP back to the negotiating table. Let’s get the fair deal our members deserve and they will demand”.

Will SAG-AFTRA win its case? Or will it resist and have to continue the strike, even if it lasts for months until 2024? We’ll have to wait for the official signing of the new contract between the Screenwriters Union and American studios to hopefully see potential results for actors and actresses in Hollywood.