Negotiations between the studio and Hollywood writers began in March but failed to reach new contracts before the writers’ current contracts expired after midnight
Published Date – Wed, 03 May 23 at 09:00am
Negotiations between the studio and Hollywood writers began in March but failed to reach new contracts before the writers’ current contracts expired after midnight
New York: TV and film writers have announced they are launching their first strike in 15 years, as Hollywood prepares for a strike that could have widespread ramifications in the fight for fair pay in the streaming age.
The Writers Guild of America said its 11,500 unionized screenwriters would head to the picket line. Negotiations between the studio and the writer began in March but failed to reach a new contract before the writer’s current contract expired after midnight.
The guild has informed its members that all script writing will cease immediately. The WGA Board of Directors, which includes the western and eastern branches, voted unanimously to call for the strike, which went into effect at the stroke of midnight. Writers, they say, are facing an “existential crisis”. “The actions of these companies have created the gig economy within the unionized workforce, and their firm stance in this negotiation betrays a commitment to further demean the writing profession,” the WGA said.
“From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly episodic TV employment, to creating day rates for comedy variety shows, to their blocking of free work for writers and artificial intelligence for all writers, they have closed the door to labor and opened the door to writing As a door to full freelancing. This member would never consider a deal like this.”
The Union of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a trade association that bargains on behalf of studios and production houses, said late Monday that talks had failed to reach an agreement before the current contract expires.
