Historic Strike Comes to an End
Taylor Smith | Arts & Entertainment
Writers are throwing out their walking shoes and preparing to return to work as the Writers Guild of America strike comes to a close.
It has been a grueling 148 days for Writers Guild of America (WGA) members this summer on the picket lines during the second-longest writers’ strike in history. After racking up thousands of steps daily, marching alongside the Screen Actors Guild– American Federation of Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the WGA has finally reached an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP).
“We’re incredibly proud of the deal that we earned. With gains in streaming, increases in wages, and protections against AI, writers in every sector of the business are excited about what we achieved together,” stated Travis Donnely, a WGA member and board member, in a follow-up with The Corsair.
After much back and forth, the AMPTP and industry leaders sat down with the WGA negotiators and presented their “last and final offer” as scribes across the country held their breath awaiting the outcome.
Co-founders of Dean’s Coffee, a small business which serves coffee to picketers on the line, Andrea Alba-Von Buren and Oliver Alerte were among those eager to see a deal made.
“Like many, we understood what was at stake and that it would take a lot of sacrifice to get it done, but it would ultimately be worth it. We were right,” the entrepreneurs said in a joint statement.
The WGA struck a tentative agreement with the AMPTP on Sunday stating, “This deal is exceptional—with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.” The board and council voted on Tuesday to authorize the contract and end work stoppage as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.
Through negotiations, the WGA has hit the mark on the major terms they have been vocal about seeking during their fight.
Beyond a standard raise, a “success-based bonus” was secured for made-for-streaming films and shows, as well as an increase in foreign residuals. In addition, the studios have agreed to streaming data transparency, both domestically and internationally, contingent upon a confidentiality agreement.
A groundbreaking addition to the agreement includes its restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI). AI will not be permitted to write literary material and essentially replace the job of a writer, nor can its use be required when providing writing services.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t come without pain. Writers traded their offices and laptops for the uncertainty of a picket line for 148 days. It was hard and even scary, but we never wavered,” continued Donnely.
Writers are now dusting off those laptops and gearing up to get back to work. But while the finalization of this new contract between the WGA and AMPTP is a major step for labor unions, the fight is not over.
The WGA deal will now stand as a bargaining tool for the actors’ union, who recently voted on Sept. 25 to issue a strike against videogame companies as well if their Interactive Media Agreement negotiations fail.
“We are still out there in the SAG-AFTRA picket lines for now, so we’re not quite done yet, but we offer the WGA our heartfelt congratulations on this feat achieved by the unity and sacrifice of its members and everyone
who honored the picket lines, and our most sincere thank you for welcoming us into their lines and supporting us every step of the way,” expressed Al- ba-Von Buren and Alerte.
SAG-AFTRA will now meet with the studios to continue their own negotiations on Monday, Oct. 2. Until an agreement is made, actors will remain on the picket lines. In their statement, the WGA encouraged its members to continue supporting actors out on the line.
“The next day, I saw them back out walking with us too,” said actress Am- ber Martinez on the lines. “We support each other. Everyone deserves to survive in this town.”
While the road to a fair deal was a long one, Donnely could not be proud- er of what his guild has accomplished.
“Writers reached a crossroads where our livelihoods were at stake, not just in our industry but also in the broader picture of labor in America, and our union met the moment and stood in solidarity, with a passion and resolve that could not be denied,” Donnely stated.
