2023-09-26 06:17:28
These are the details of the deal that will end the screenwriters’ strike in Hollywood
After a historic strike that lasted five months, the American Screenwriters Guild announced, the day before yesterday, Sunday, that it had reached a preliminary and “exceptional” agreement with the Alliance of Film and Television Producers.
The alliance of film and television producers includes major studios, namely Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Brothers, NBCUniversal, Sony, and Paramount. .
Screenwriters and studios agree on three main points
There are three main points in the Screenwriters Guild of America’s statement, which it shared with its members:
1. Screenwriters will not return to work immediately
The last American Screenwriters Guild strike in 2007-2008 saw a preliminary agreement reached on the 96th day, but the strike did not end until it entered its 100th day, recalls the American magazine Newsweek.
The text of the union’s statement read: “For clarity, no one may return to work except following obtaining permission from the union. We are still on strike until then.”
2. Screenwriters will support the actors
Although the screenwriters will suspend the sit-ins, they continue to support the Actors Union strike, which is still ongoing.
“If you are able, we encourage you to join the Actors Guild picket lines this week,” the statement read.
In a statement published on the X website, the actors union said it was ready to resume negotiations with the studio alliance.
3. The deal is not final
The agreement between the Screenwriters Guild of America and the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance is not final, as members will be required to ratify the articles of the agreement through voting.
The statement (full text below) detailed the stages of voting on the final agreement formula.
Hollywood: From strike to agreement in brief
Since May, strikers have been protesting once morest rebroadcast pay and compensation, and the potential use of artificial intelligence to replace them in writing rooms.
In July, the Actors Union announced that its 160,000 members would also go on strike to protest wages.
This union between writers and actors caused a historic paralysis in Hollywood that lasted for several months in a way that had not happened in at least 60 years.
But the crisis is almost over. After months of what seemed like a stalemate between the writers and the alliance of film and television producers, it was announced Sunday that an agreement had been reached.
Text of the Screenwriters Guild of America’s statement:
“Dear members,
We have reached an agreement in principle for 2023, which means agreement in principle on all points of the deal, pending final contract language.
What we have won in this decade, and in particular everything we have gained since May 2, is due to the willingness of our group to show solidarity, to walk shoulder to shoulder, to endure pain, grief and uncertainty during 146 days. It is the influence generated by your strike, and with the exceptional coordination and support of our union brothers, that finally brought companies back to the table to make a deal.
We can say, with pride, that this agreement is exceptional, with meaningful gains and protection for screenwriters in every sector in which members operate.
What remains now is for our staff to ensure that everything we have agreed upon is written down in the final contract language. Although we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do so until we have scrutinized every detail. Doing so would complicate our ability to finish the mission. So, as you have been patient with us before, we ask you to be patient once more, for the last time.
Once the memorandum of agreement with the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance is complete, the negotiating committee will vote to recommend the agreement and send it to the Boards of Directors of the Screenwriters Guild of America East and West. The two chambers will then vote on whether or not to authorize a vote on the contract by members.
If this authorization is approved, both chambers will also vote to end the strike at a specific date and time (to be determined later). This would allow the screenwriters to get back to work…
Immediately following this step, initially scheduled for Tuesday (today), if the language of the agreement is settled, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the points of the deal and the memorandum of agreement. We will also hold meetings where members will have the opportunity to learn more regarding the agreement and evaluate it before voting on it.
To clarify, no one may return to work except following obtaining permission from the union. We are still on strike until then. However, as of today, we will suspend the American Screenwriters Guild sit-in. Alternatively, if you’re able, we encourage you to join the Actors Guild picket lines this week…
Solidarity,
Negotiating Committee of the Screenwriters Guild of America.
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