The 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike has achieved a preliminary resolution with Hollywood studios to end the writer's strike. In a communiqué dispatched to its members on Sunday, the guild declared, "We have attained a provisional accord on a fresh 2023 MBA, signifying that we have reached an initial agreement on all aspects of the deal, subject to the completion of contractual language."
Providing substantial advantages
The guild expressed satisfaction with the deal, stating, "We are proud to announce that this agreement is exceptional, offering significant benefits and safeguards for writers in all sectors of our membership."
The strike commenced on May 2 and has endured for over 140 days as the union representing entertainment writers in film, television, news, and online media picketed nationwide, advocating for improved compensation and provisions regarding staffing commitments and employment duration.
Also Read : Hollywood writers reach a tentative deal with studios after nearly five month strike
Representing the key stakeholders
After in-person negotiations on Wednesday and subsequent virtual deliberations on Sunday, a new agreement has been reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The AMPTP represents prominent industry entities, including Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Warner Bros.
A substantial segment of the Hollywood industry was effectively halted throughout the work stoppage, which coincided with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Late-night shows promptly ceased airing as soon as the WGA strike commenced, and numerous other film and television productions stopped due to the absence of new material to film.
Permission to proceed with the filming
Prominent figures in Hollywood, such as Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of Abbott Elementary, the cast of Parks and Recreation, and Billy Crystal, actively participated in the strike by joining the picket lines.
The ongoing strikes have caused significant delays in producing films and television shows, and some projects have even been completely cancelled. Despite the strike, certain productions were granted permission to continue filming, including House of the Dragon and Anne Hathaway's film Mother Mary.
The specific cessation of work
The strike of 2023 marked the first instance in which the union refused to work since 2007 when the WGA and AMPTP failed to reach an agreement regarding DVD residuals and other matters. That particular work stoppage lasted slightly over three months.
However, the longest strike in Hollywood history occurred in 1988 and lasted 153 days. The primary issues at that time revolved around residuals for hour-long shows and the expansion of creative rights.