Hollywood Writers End Strike

Facts

• The Hollywood screenwriters' strike came to an end Wednesday at midnight Pacific time, as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced that union leaders had 'voted unanimously to lift the restraining order and end their strike.'¹
• After 148 days of picketing, the WGA accepted an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers — representing studios and streaming services, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Netflix — ending one of longest strikes in Hollywood's history.²
• The three-year contract extension is still pending ratification from the writers, but the leadership board lifted the restraining order to allow them to work in the interim. Writers will vote between Oct. 2-9.³
• Late-night talk shows are likely the first on the docket to resume, as they were the first to be affected when the strike started on May 2. Scripted shows will take longer to return as actors are still on strike, with negotiations remaining far away.⁴
• According to a WGA summary, writers were granted wins related to artificial intelligence (AI), data transparency, and residuals. Writers can't be required to use AI software, and AI-generated material won't be considered source material, which is meant to protect writers' credit from being undermined by AI.⁵
• Upon ratification of the contract, the deal — set to last until May 2026 — will see writers receive a 5% minimum pay increase. Another 4% increase is due on May 2, 2024, and a further 3.5% increase on May 5, 2025.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Independent, ³USA Today, ⁴Associated Press, ⁵Business Insider and ⁶CNBC.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Vox. This strike was about fair compensation. Profits from movies, television shows, and other forms of media have skyrocketed over the last two decades, but writers haven't received their fair share. Studios have created a gig economy inside a union workforce, devaluing the writers, who are the foundation of the entertainment industry. The WGA has reached a good deal that includes meaningful gains and protections for its members.
• Narrative B, as provided by USA Today. While this is a welcomed move, Hollywood's writers should have considered the state of the economy when making their demands. Authorizing a pay bump in a time of economic uncertainty and widespread layoffs could put the entire industry at risk. Rather than holding the entertainment industry hostage and costing the economy billions, writers should have used AI to improve their work.

Predictions