Olivia Allery, news editor
Starting May 2, more than 10,000 screenwriters from nine major production companies, such as Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, Netflix and Disney, walked out of their jobs. Screenwriters were protesting after receiving minimal compensation for the writing of the companies’ major blockbuster movies and television shows. After five months of picketing and striking, Writers Guild of America (WGA) members reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 25, celebrating new guaranteed job protections and wage increases.
According to USA Today, the strike occurred when the WGA, the union representing screenwriters, as well as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) both failed to reach an agreement with their and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the nine major production companies, failed to reach an agreement on the writers contract. Contract demands from WGA writers pointed out that with a rise of streamed television and movies, many were seeing a decrease in earnings for shows and movies written, as opposed to cable broadcasting. According to USA Today, streamed television and movies have also decreased the amount of residuals and royalties writers, actors and crew members receive, due to the exclusivity that many streaming service providers offer. There were also demands from WGA to make compensation more standardized and writing positions more secure, across both broadcasted and streamed television writing, due to the increased use of AI to generate scripts.
AMPTP initially met these demands with numerous counteroffers and some flat out rejections. According to USA Today, AMPTP explained that their counter negotiations reflected their commitment to the long term stability of the companies, as they reported major losses due to increased television streaming. The WGA announced formally on X on May 1, that they had voted unanimously to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. May 2.
On Sept. 25, the WGA and AMPTP were able to reach a tentative agreement on the new contract. According to the New York Times, AMPTP was able to meet most of the union demands, and the WGA took to X to publicly thank all its members for their outstanding solidarity through the grueling 146 day strike.
As a result of the strike, many television shows and movie productions that were suddenly halted are now back on. Popular shows such as “Wednesday,” “Euphoria” and “Stranger Things” announced their new release dates, and late-night talk shows such as “Late Night Show with Steven Colbert” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” aired live once again on Oct. 2.
Despite the tentative agreement being reached with the WGA, the SAG-AFTRA is still working on their negotiations with AMPTP. “I have family members in the industry who have to do all sorts of things to make ends meet,” said Demeitri Belardinelli, SAG-AFTRA member, in a quote to USA Today while picketing outside of Disney Studios in Los Angeles. “It’s been a struggle, this whole process, even before the strike started.”
According to the LA Times, SAG-AFTRA will continue negotiations and members will continue to strike until an agreement is made. Jeff Torres, SAG-AFTRA member, said in a quote to USA Today, “The WGA showed us that when we fight, we win.”