Hollywood Writers' Strike Ends After 118 Days: Here's The Outcome

On November 8, the SAG-AFTRA actors' union announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios, bringing an end to the second of two strikes that had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. The strikes were initiated by workers seeking higher pay in response to the challenges posed by the streaming TV era.

The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee unanimously approved the agreement, officially ending the strike at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 9. The deal is set to be presented to the union's national board for final approval on Friday, November 10. Negotiators had previously reached a preliminary agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major media companies like Walt Disney and Netflix. This development marks the resumption of full-scale production in Hollywood for the first time since May. While some details are still pending, additional information is expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Hollywood Writers' Strike Comes To An End

The Hollywood strike earlier concluded with a tentative agreement reached between the studios and the Writers Guild. However, it's important to note that the actors have not yet reached a deal as of now.

On September 24, the writers' union in Hollywood reached a preliminary labour deal with major studios, which is anticipated to bring an end to one of the two strikes that have disrupted film and television production, causing significant economic losses in California.

Before taking effect, this three-year contract still requires approval from the leadership of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and its union members. The WGA, representing 11,500 writers in the film and television industry, characterised the agreement as "outstanding," emphasising that it includes substantial benefits and safeguards for writers.

The negotiating committee said in a  statement on September 24,"This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who joined us on the picket lines for over 146 days."

The WGA's agreement, although a significant development, won't immediately restore normalcy to Hollywood, even if it gets approval. While writing activities may resume, the strike by the SAG-AFTRA actors' union remains ongoing. Caroline Renard, the WGA liaison, expressed that they "stuck it out". The statement added that this industry is built on unions, and it centres around the individuals responsible for creating content that generates substantial profits for these corporations. A writer shared a social media post featuring a picket sign simply stating, "The End."

Here are key points to know about the Writers Guild of America strike and negotiations with producers

Negotiations Progressing

Writers and producers were making strides towards reaching an agreement to put an end to the Writers Guild of America strike. They recently held face-to-face meetings, with discussions continuing as of Wednesday, September 21.

Aiming for Thursday

Both sides are optimistic about finalising a deal by Thursday, September 21. However, this hinges on successful negotiations, and if an agreement isn't reached by that date, the strike may extend into the end of the year.

Lengthy Strike

The strike has been ongoing for over 100 days, during which time numerous high-profile actors have joined the picket lines. Production on several well-known shows and films, including Stranger Things, Blade, and Evil, has been halted due to the strike.

Compensation and Demands

The strike, initiated on May 2, is primarily rooted in writers' claims that their compensation does not align with the revenue generated by their work. Writers are also pushing for fair compensation throughout all stages of production, from preproduction to production and postproduction.

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