Hollywood writers’ strike ends after 5 months with new deal.
The Hollywood writer’s strike, which lasted nearly five months, has finally come to an end. On Tuesday, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved a new contract with studios, bringing relief to industry leaders and allowing writers to return to work.
The deal was reached after months of negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP). Union bosses fought for improved salaries, residuals for streaming programs, and protections against the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.
Unanimous Approval
In a statement, union leaders announced that the Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board, and the WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the “three-year minimum basic agreement.” However, the agreement still needs to be ratified by the union’s members.
“Eligible voters will be able to vote from October 2nd through October 9th, and will receive ballot and ratification materials when the vote opens,” union leaders said.
Union leaders have also authorized their members to return to work.
Movie Productions Halted
The announcement on Tuesday brings welcome relief to industry leaders after a 148-day-long work stoppage that paralyzed productions across the industry, impacting everything from streaming services to movie production.
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) has been on strike since May 2, while the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) began striking on July 14.
Improved Pay and Residuals
Under the newly reached contract, WGA members will see an immediate 5% increase in minimum pay, followed by additional increases in 2024 and 2025. Health Fund contributions will also increase. Additionally, union members will receive a bonus for projects that meet certain viewership criteria.
The deal also establishes regulations for the use of AI in the industry, prohibiting its use in writing or rewriting literary material without consent. The contract is valued at around $233 million, significantly more than the $86 million initially offered by the AMPTP.
Victory for Solidarity
The WGA expressed gratitude to its members for their solidarity and perseverance throughout the strike. The union acknowledged that the strike was longer than necessary due to the companies’ delay in taking negotiations seriously.
The AMPTP has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the new agreement, but it has confirmed that a deal has been reached.
What provisions are included in the new contract to protect against the threat of artificial intelligence in the film industry
The Hollywood writer’s strike, which lasted nearly five months, has finally come to an end. On Tuesday, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved a new contract with studios, bringing relief to industry leaders and allowing writers to return to work.
The deal was reached after months of negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP). Union bosses fought for improved salaries, residuals for streaming programs, and protections against the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.
In a statement, union leaders announced that the Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board, and the WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the “three-year minimum basic agreement.” However, the agreement still needs to be ratified by the union’s members.
This news comes as a relief to many in the industry who have been affected by the strike. The writer’s strike had a significant impact on television production, with many shows going on hiatus or airing reruns. It also disrupted film production, causing delays in the release of highly anticipated movies.
One of the key points of contention in the negotiations was the issue of residuals for streaming programs. With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, writers were concerned that they were not receiving fair compensation for their work in the digital realm. The new contract addresses this concern by ensuring that writers receive residuals for their work on streaming platforms.
Another important issue raised during the negotiations was the threat of artificial intelligence in the film industry. With advancements in AI technology, there is a growing concern that machines could replace human writers, posing a threat to the livelihoods of writers. The new contract includes provisions to protect against this threat and ensure that human writers continue to be valued in the industry.
Overall, the end of the writer’s strike is a positive development for the Hollywood industry. It brings stability to the workforce and allows writers to continue creating the content that audiences love. With the new contract in place, industry leaders and writers can now focus on moving forward and producing the quality entertainment that has made Hollywood a global powerhouse.
Related Stories:
– Hollywood’s Necessity Under Question as Artists and Screenwriters Strike: http://www.theepochtimes.com/us/do-we-really-need-hollywood-5420571?ea_src=author_manual&ea_med=related_stories
– AI Is the Wild Card in Hollywood’s Strikes—Here’s an Explanation of Its Unsettling Role: http://www.theepochtimes.com/tech/ai-is-the-wild-card-in-hollywoods-strikes-heres-an-explanation-of-its-unsettling-role-5420264?ea_src=author_manual&ea_med=related_stories
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