Writers Guild And Producers Look To End 5-Month Strike With Tentative Agreement

After nearly five months of a strenuous strike, the Writers Guild has finally reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This groundbreaking development, finalized on Sunday, marks a significant turning point in the entertainment industry. The primary point of contention was the integration of AI and staffing levels in the writing rooms.

In an official release to its members, the guild announced, "We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language." This announcement coincided with the beginning of the Yom Kippur holiday, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the issues after five days of intense negotiations.

A spokesperson from WGA West expressed gratitude, stating, "The tentative agreement was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days." Further details of the agreement have yet to be disclosed but will be shared with guild members before ratification votes.

The negotiations, conducted virtually, encompassed various aspects, including the intricacies of AI integration and staffing. Another point of dispute revolved around the return-to-work schedules and protocols. Notably, the studios inquired whether the writers would resume their work promptly after ratification. In response, the guild asserted that they would not return to work until SAG-AFTRA also secured a new agreement with the AMPTP, highlighting the solidarity between the two unions during this historic strike.

While this tentative agreement marks a significant milestone, it will take a few more days for the strike to officially conclude as the WGA West and WGA East proceed with their ratification process. In comparison, during the WGA's last strike in 2007-08, a tentative agreement was reached on the 96th day, with the strike concluding on the 100th day.

Here’s what the WGA had to say about today’s events:

DEAR MEMBERS,

We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language. 

What we have won in this contract – most particularly, everything we have gained since May 2nd – is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days. It is the leverage generated by your strike, in concert with the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that finally brought the companies back to the table to make a deal.

We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.

What remains now is for our staff to make sure everything we have agreed to is codified in final contract language. And though we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do that until the last “i” is dotted. To do so would complicate our ability to finish the job. So, as you have been patient with us before, we ask you to be patient again – one last time.

Once the Memorandum of Agreement with the AMPTP is complete, the Negotiating Committee will vote on whether to recommend the agreement and send it on to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval. The Board and Council will then vote on whether to authorize a contract ratification vote by the membership.

If that authorization is approved, the Board and Council would also vote on whether to lift the restraining order and end the strike at a certain date and time (to be determined) pending ratification. This would allow writers to return to work during the ratification vote, but would not affect the membership’s right to make a final determination on contract approval. 

Immediately after those leadership votes, which are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday if the language is settled, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the deal points and the Memorandum of Agreement. We will also convene meetings where members will have the opportunity to learn more about and assess the deal before voting on ratification. 

To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week. 

Finally, we appreciated your patience as you waited for news from us — and had to fend off rumors — during the last few days of the negotiation. Please wait for further information from the Guild. We will have more to share with you in the coming days, as we finalize the contract language and go through our unions’ processes.  

As always, thank you for your support. You will hear from us again very soon.