The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially ratified a three-year contract deal, bringing an end to the second-longest strike in the union’s history. The vote concluded on Monday, with 99% of union members voting in favor of the contract. Out of the 8,525 valid votes cast, 8,435 were in favor, and 90 were against the contract. The new agreement is set to be effective from September 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026.
The president of WGAW, Meredith Stiehm, expressed gratitude for the solidarity and determination of the union members, stating that the contract includes meaningful gains and protections for writers in all sectors of the membership. Stiehm acknowledged the efforts of chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman, negotiating committee co-chairs Chris Keyser and David A. Goodman, the entire negotiating committee, strike captains, lot coordinators, and the support staff who contributed to the negotiation and strike.
The ratification marks the culmination of the WGA’s turbulent bargaining cycle in 2023, which led to a historic 148-day strike. The strike began on May 2 after a strike authorization vote and saw around 11,500 writers ceasing their work and setting up picket lines in front of ongoing productions. This strategy proved effective in disrupting daily set work in Hollywood even before SAG-AFTRA called its own strike on July 14, which halted almost all production.
WGAE president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen emphasized the need for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to negotiate a fair contract with SAG-AFTRA to ensure all industry workers can resume their work. She stated that WGA members would continue to support SAG-AFTRA by joining them on the picket lines until the studios address the needs of performers.
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During the negotiation process, there were multiple stops and starts with the AMPTP, causing a considerable impact on industry workers. Many workers experienced increased food insecurity and faced evictions due to the prolonged strike. The impasse was finally broken when industry leaders such as Ted Sarandos, David Zaslav, Bob Iger, and Donna Langley began attending bargaining sessions and directly engaging with guild leaders. Following these developments, a tentative deal was announced by the WGA on September 24, and the final agreement was reached in a matter of days.
Despite high expectations for the contract, many writers expressed satisfaction with the gains achieved. The contract includes significant provisions such as minimum staffing requirements for television work, success-based residuals for streaming platforms, regulations on the use of A.I. in writing, a second payment for screenwriters, and a new foreign residuals formula. A showrunner referred to the contract as a road map and expressed the importance of studying it thoroughly.
Looking towards the lasting legacy of the negotiations, WGA negotiating committee co-chair Chris Keyser emphasized that this moment represented labor power and the rejection of being ignored. The contract signifies a turning point for the union and highlights the determination of its members to fight for their rights and fair treatment.
In conclusion, the ratification of the contract by the Writers Guild of America marks the end of a historic strike and signals a significant achievement for the union and its members. The contract brings substantial gains and protections for writers across various sectors and serves as a roadmap for future negotiations. The strike demonstrated the power of labor and the resolve of union members to demand fair treatment and recognition.
