After nearly five months of the Hollywood screenwriters' strike, there is finally good news. Union leaders and Hollywood production companies have reached a preliminary agreement, confirmed by representatives from both sides. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) issued a joint statement on Sunday announcing their agreement.
The union stated in an email sent to members that the WGA has reached a preliminary agreement with the AMPTP, which is a result of the enduring solidarity of WGA members and their 146-day protest together.
This agreement was reached after five days of renegotiation and has received the approval of over 90% of the union members. While the specific terms have not been disclosed, according to a statement by President Joe Biden, the agreement includes assurances regarding artificial intelligence (AI)-related issues.
In his declaration, the President stated that the agreement was not easy and acknowledged that employers and employees had negotiated in good faith to reach an agreement. The aim of this agreement is to strengthen businesses and ensure that workers receive their deserved wages, benefits, and dignity without any alternative solutions.
The impact of streaming services on screenwriters' compensation was one of the main reasons for the strike. The writers also protested for better representation of writing teams and the use of AI in scriptwriting. Since the initial strike by Hollywood screenwriters on May 2nd, actors have also joined the protest, seeking higher compensation in the era of streaming services, marking the first simultaneous strike by both writers and actors' unions since 1960.
During the strike, many prominent figures in Hollywood were unable to promote new shows and movies, and box office revenues were affected. The release of "Dune: Part Two" was postponed, and Drew Barrymore's talk show was delayed until after the end of the screenwriters' strike. The Emmy Awards, originally scheduled for September, were also postponed until January next year.
Although an agreement has been reached between the writers and production companies, it should be noted that the actors' union is still on strike, so Hollywood will not immediately return to normal operations. The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), congratulated the production companies on reaching a preliminary agreement. In a statement, SAG-AFTRA said, "We commend your dedication, diligence, and steadfast unity over the past five months and are proud to stand alongside you as creative partners in the entertainment industry."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement congratulating both sides on reaching an agreement and expressed hope that actors would soon reach a similar agreement.