Striking Hollywood writers

26/9/2023 6:20

        Hollywood's writers union reached a preliminary labor agreement with major studios on Sunday, a deal expected to end one of two strikes that have halted most film and television production and cost the California economy billions.
        
        The three-year contract still must be approved by leadership of the Writers Guild of America (WGA,) as well as union members, before it can take effect.
        
        The WGA, which represents 11,500 film and television writers, described the deal as "exceptional" with "meaningful gains and protections for writers."
        
        The WGA settlement, while a milestone, will not return Hollywood to business as usual even if it is ratified.
        
        While writing may resume, the SAG-AFTRA actors' union remains on strike.
        
        Writers walked off the job on May 2 after negotiations reached an impasse over compensation, minimum staffing of writers' rooms, the use of artificial intelligence and residuals that reward writers for popular streaming shows, among other issues.
        
        The only comment from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the trade group representing Walt Disney , Netflix, Warner Bros Discovery and other major studios, came in a brief statement with the union, that both side have reach at temporary agreement.