Three-year pact passes overwhelmingly
Members of the Writers Guild of America overwhelmingly ratified a new labor contract with Hollywood studios, the union announced early this week, closing the book on a strike that helped bring film and TV production to a halt.
Of those who cast ballots in a ratification vote that began last on Oct. 2, 99% voted in favor of the new pact, WGA leaders wrote in a message to union members. According to the message, 8,525 votes were cast, and 8,435 were in favor, with only 90 no votes.
The new pact will be in place through May 1, 2026.
“This (end of the WGA strike) allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not affect the membership's right to make a final determination on contract approval,'' the WGA negotiating committee wrote to union members.
Some writers have already resumed work, with late-night talk shows returning to the air with new episodes. But others are believed to still be honoring picket lines of the striking SAG-AFTRA actors' union. WGA negotiating committee members have encouraged writers who are able to continue supporting the striking actors.
That encouragement continued on Monday in the message sent to WGA members.
“As our negotiations come to an end, we won't forget our SAG-AFTRA siblings who have supported writers every step of the way,'' according to the union message. “We call upon the AMPTP to negotiate a deal that addresses the needs of performers and, until they do, we ask WGA members who can to continue to show up on their picket lines in solidarity.''
The WGA deal includes stepped increases of minimum salaries that will jump by 5% upon ratification, 4% in May 2024 and 3.5% in May 2025. There are also increases in health and pension contributions.
The contract also includes restrictions on studios' use of artificial intelligence, barring AI from writing or rewriting literary material and preventing AI-generated material from being considered source material, meaning it can't “undermine a writer's credit.''
