Writers Guild of America Reaches a Deal

After 146 days of work stoppage, the Writer’s Guild of America managed to reach a deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. Representatives of the WGA met with the heads of the four major studios on September 24, reaching a deal that benefited them greatly.

The WGA had been on strike for five months since May 2. Writers left their positions at Hollywood and joined thousands of other writers as they protested for deals regarding increased pay, length of employment, size of staffs and control of artificial intelligence in writing.

The pay of writers is now increased by 3.5 percent and 5 percent, alongside a new residual payment program for streaming services based on the popularity of movies and TV shows. The size of staffs was increased, with the new minimum requirement being six writers for shows that run 13 episodes, and a guarantee that writers on developing shows are employed for 10 weeks. Also, writers on on-air shows are employed three weeks per episode.

Regarding the use of artificial intelligence, the WGA managed to secure a deal where AI would not count towards “literary material.” However, AI can still be used if certain conditions are met and the company that they are working for agrees. Despite this, companies cannot require the use of AI in the production of original content.

Talk shows such as Jimmy Kimmel, Saturday Night Live and Stephen Colbert are expected to continue airing without any backlash from the WGA.

This does not mean that the work stoppage has ended, however. The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists continue to protest for a contract to gain a share of the value of the work they helped create. SAG and AFTRA have been protesting since July 14, nearly half as long as the WGA. And despite no longer protesting themselves, writers continue to walk alongside them in solidarity in hopes that they will reach a good deal as well.