Hollywood writers reach tentative deal to end the strike

Hollywood writers reach tentative deal to end the strike

The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May 2nd. | Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

The Hollywood writers strike may be close to an end. After a more than 140-day work stoppage, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced on Sunday night that it reached a “tentative agreement” with major Hollywood studios on pay, working conditions, and more.

“We can say, with great pride, that this is an exceptional deal — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA negotiating committee wrote in an email to members.

WGA leadership said details of the agreement couldn’t be shared until its language is finalized; after that, writers will have to vote to approve the deal. The guild said its leaders may end the strike as soon as Tuesday, once the contract is finalized and sent to members for a vote. The guild is suspending picketing immediately.

We did it. We have a tentative deal.

Over the coming days, we'll discuss and vote on it, together, as a democratic union. But today, I want to thank every single WGA member, and every fellow worker who stood with us in solidarity. You made this possible. Thank you. #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/KfzVKoPMPz

— Adam Conover (@adamconover) September 25, 2023

The agreement was finalized over several nights of bargaining between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers through the middle and end of the past week.

The WGA first called the strike on May 2nd after negotiations between writers and the AMPTP fell through. While the WGA called for contracts to include better streaming residuals, the preservation of the writers room, and protections surrounding the use of AI, the AMPTP pushed back.

Writers may soon be back to work, but without actors, Hollywood productions will likely remain at a standstill. The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the union that represents around 160,000 members of the entertainment industry, has been on strike since July.

The strikes have forced studios like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery to make adjustments to their financial projections. In July, Netflix estimated it would have an extra $1.5 billion in free cash flow, while Warner Bros. Discovery lowered its earnings expectations by about $300 to $500 million for 2023.

(Disclosure: The Verge’s editorial staff is also unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East.)