Writers Guild Triumph: Ending Strike, Paving Path for Industry Stability
10.10.2023 posted by Admin
LOS ANGELES (KABC) - The Writers Guild of America has given its resounding approval to a new labor contract with Hollywood studios, effectively putting an end to a strike that significantly disrupted film and TV production.
In a statement addressed to its members, union leaders reported that an overwhelming 99% of WGA members voted in favor of the agreement out of a total of 8,525 votes cast. This freshly inked contract will remain in effect until May 1, 2026.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm celebrated this achievement, saying, "Through unity and unwavering resolve, we have successfully ratified a contract that secures meaningful benefits and safeguards for writers across our diverse membership. Together, we've achieved what many deemed unattainable just half a year ago."
This development follows the conclusion of the WGA strike, which lasted for nearly five months and disrupted the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, negotiations between the studios and the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, are still ongoing, with actors having been on strike since mid-July.
WGA East President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen urged the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to engage in equitable negotiations with the striking actors.
Cullen stated, "It's now time for the AMPTP to facilitate the return of the rest of the industry to normalcy by reaching a fair agreement with our SAG-AFTRA colleagues, who have stood by the writers during our negotiations. Until the studios craft a deal that adequately addresses the concerns of performers, WGA members will stand shoulder to shoulder with SAG-AFTRA in a show of solidarity on the picket lines."
In a statement addressed to its members, union leaders reported that an overwhelming 99% of WGA members voted in favor of the agreement out of a total of 8,525 votes cast. This freshly inked contract will remain in effect until May 1, 2026.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm celebrated this achievement, saying, "Through unity and unwavering resolve, we have successfully ratified a contract that secures meaningful benefits and safeguards for writers across our diverse membership. Together, we've achieved what many deemed unattainable just half a year ago."
This development follows the conclusion of the WGA strike, which lasted for nearly five months and disrupted the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, negotiations between the studios and the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, are still ongoing, with actors having been on strike since mid-July.
WGA East President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen urged the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to engage in equitable negotiations with the striking actors.
Cullen stated, "It's now time for the AMPTP to facilitate the return of the rest of the industry to normalcy by reaching a fair agreement with our SAG-AFTRA colleagues, who have stood by the writers during our negotiations. Until the studios craft a deal that adequately addresses the concerns of performers, WGA members will stand shoulder to shoulder with SAG-AFTRA in a show of solidarity on the picket lines."