Barbara
THOUSANDS OF HOLLYWOOD WRITERS BEGIN STRIKE FOR HIGHER WAGES AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS
As of May 2, 2023, thousands of Hollywood writers are launching the first strike in 15 years. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted unanimously to strike after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) collapsed. The WGA is fighting for higher wages and better working conditions for its 11,500 members, representing writers for major studios and streaming services like Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Apple, and Sony. The strike is expected to result in picket lines starting Tuesday afternoon.
PREVIOUS STRIKE CREDITED WITH TIPPING CALIFORNIA INTO RECESSION
The 2007-2008 WGA strike lasted for 100 days and cost the state of California $2.1 billion, contributing to a recession. This strike had a significant impact on popular television shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, and other scripted dramas or soap operas were also affected, with production shortened or halted entirely. Depending on how long the current strike lasts, movies may also be impacted, although studios and networks have been stockpiling scripts and increasing international productions to prepare for this outcome.
COMPLEX CHALLENGES FOR WRITERS TO MAKE A LIVING
The shift to streaming has made it challenging for writers to earn a living. There are many complex reasons for this, such as TV shows on streaming services having shorter seasons, lower residual payments than broadcast TV, and the rise of “mini rooms” that make writers more disposable. According to a report published on March 14, 2023, by the WGA, half of TV series writers are currently being paid the basic minimum rate. This situation worsened working conditions for series writers at all levels, separated writing from production, and created a gig economy inside a union workforce.
THE UNION’S DEMANDS INCLUDE HIGHER PAY AND BETTER PROTECTION
The WGA is seeking a new three-year contract for its members and wants to increase minimum wage rates and residuals payments. They are also addressing the “abuses of mini-rooms,” artificial intelligence in scriptwriting, and increasing contributions to the union’s health and pension plan. On the other hand, the AMPTP claims it has offered “generous increases in compensation,” including improving streaming residuals, but is unwilling to compromise on “mandatory staffing” and “duration of employment” demanded by the WGA, which would require companies to employ writers even if they’re not needed.
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN ROCKY FOR SEVERAL YEARS
Tensions have been rising between the WGA and AMPTP over contract negotiations for several years. The last full-fledged negotiations took place in 2017, where the parties reached a tentative agreement minutes after the previous expiration deadline passed. Negotiating terms for the following three-year contract agreement in 2020 was made difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic.
STRIKE MAY BE THE FIRST OF MANY IF DISPUTES REMAIN UNRESOLVED
Today’s strike may be the start of Hollywood’s troubles, as contracts for the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Directors Guild of America are set to expire on June 30th. If these organizations also decide to go on strike after their negotiations, production for scripted shows and movies could cease for the foreseeable future.
Sources:
https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/writers-guild-of-america-calls-strike-effective-tuesday-may-2
https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-screenwriters-strike-cost-idCAN0628755420080606
https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/wga-amptp-deal-contract-strike-threat-1202406221/
https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/wga-amptp-negotiations-deal-contract-1234695529/
https://www.vox.com/culture/23696617/writers-strike-wga-2023-explained-residuals-streaming-ai
https://www.wgacontract2023.org/updates/bulletins/writers-are-not-keeping-up
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-02-23/ahead-of-a-possible-strike-studios-and-writers-get-ready-in-case-of-a-summer-shutdown
https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-member-update-regarding-wgaamptp-negotiations-0
“Negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA concluded without an agreement today.” pic.twitter.com/51UtEbBLtl
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) May 2, 2023
