The Writers Guild of America announced that their months-long strike was coming to an end shortly after midnight.
“The WGA has reached a tentative agreement with AMPTP,” Writers Guild East began in a joint Instagram post with Writers Guild West.
“Today, our Bargaining Committee, the WGAW Board and the WGAE Council voted unanimously to recommend the agreement. The strike ends at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. Check out our deal at wgacontract2023.org/deal. #WGAStrong,” the post reads.
The terms of the agreement will include a five percent minimum wage increase after the contract ends. Additional increases are set for 2024 and 2025.
The new contract was signed with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which represents Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — after the two organizations met Wednesday and again Sunday 1.
Although the contract has yet to be ratified, the writers can now get back to work.
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The new deal, which runs from Sept. 25 to May 1, 2026, will include “increased foreign streaming residuals” and a “streaming bonus based on viewership.”
“Most MBA minimums will increase by 5%,” the agreement states, with “minimum weekly rates for staff writers and Article 14 writers (story editors/executive story editors)” also increasing. Minimum Basic Agreements, MBA, is a collective agreement that covers the rights and benefits of its members.
“Each writer on the writing team employed for the script will receive pension and health contributions up to the appropriate cap,” the contract states. “Additionally, when a writing team is engaged on a series, the contribution for each writer on the team will be made at the full weekly minimum instead of half the weekly minimum.”
The ongoing strike has resulted in the cancellation or delay of some film and television projects. Late night talk shows including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Seth Myers and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert they all showed replays during the break.
Celebrities took to social media to share their excitement about the deal.
“I’m glad to see the WGA reach a tentative agreement with AMPTP. Next up is SAG-AFTRA and there are big differences in what we’re asking for and our agreement must reflect the needs of our members and not be driven by someone else’s,” Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary School wrote on x Tuesday. “Stand HARD!”
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Previous Family ties star Justine Bateman wrote“Well played, #WGA Negotiation committee. The gains are huge.”
Robin Thede, actress and creator of HBO Black lady skit, wrote on X“Wow! This WGA contract is AMAZING.”
“The erosions we have seen have been corrected and the years to come have a solid foundation that appreciates our value and encourages the advancement of future talent,” she continued. “Now – showrunners, it’s up to you to make sure ALL the writers benefit!”
Although the WGA strike is ending, the SAG-AFTRA strike, a union made up of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, is still ongoing after failed contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.” The strike began on July 13.
The actors were banned together to demand better compensation and benefit plans.
Jessica Chastain backs SAG Strike at Venice Film Festival: ‘Actors deserve fair pay’
“We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. “I’m shocked at the way the people we’ve done business with are treating us,” Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA president who heads the union, said at a press conference in July after the strike decision. “I can’t believe, honestly, how far apart we are on so many things.”
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Source: HIS Education