After nearly five months of uncertainty and picket lines, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially ratified its three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), bringing an end to the second-longest strike in the guild’s history. This momentous decision, which followed a week of voting, received overwhelming support from WGA members, with 99% of votes cast in favor of the agreement.
A total of 8,525 valid votes were tallied, consisting of 8,435 ‘yes’ votes and 90 ‘no’ votes, solidifying the WGA’s acceptance of the Minimum Basic Agreement. This ratified deal will remain in effect from September 25, 2023, to May 31, 2026, marking a significant victory for writers in various aspects, including A.I. safeguards, residuals, staffing in writers’ rooms, data transparency, and wage increases.
The path to this ratification was marked by significant milestones, including a tentative agreement reached on September 24, officially ending the 148-day strike – the second longest in the history of the WGA. The ratification coincided with the ongoing strike of SAG-AFTRA, a strong ally of the WGA throughout the summer.
Solidarity
The strike, which commenced on May 2 after the expiration of the previous contract with studios and streaming platforms, created turmoil in the entertainment industry, with picket lines appearing in major cities across the United States. However, official negotiations did not resume for over 100 days.
The breakthrough in negotiations occurred on September 20, when key industry figures, including David Zaslav, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley, and Bob Iger, met with WGA’s chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, and other members of the WGA Negotiating Committee. Following the agreement on September 26, both the WGA West Board and WGA East Council unanimously recommended the contract to their members.
Meredith Stiehm, President of the WGAW, expressed her satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership.” She acknowledged the collective effort required to achieve this milestone, thanking key individuals and committees involved in the negotiation process.
Lisa Takeuchi, President of WGAE, highlighted the importance of continuing to support SAG-AFTRA, emphasizing, “Until the studios make a deal that addresses the needs of performers, WGA members will be on the picket lines, walking side-by-side with SAG-AFTRA in solidarity.”
The AMPTP, representing studios and streamers, congratulated the WGA on the ratification of the new contract, acknowledging the gains and protections it offers to writers. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA also commended the WGA’s success in their statement.
The voting process for WGA members took place from October 2 to the final deadline at 1 p.m. PT. With a historical voter turnout, the ratification solidifies the members’ commitment to a prosperous future for writers in the entertainment industry.
As the actors of SAG-AFTRA continue their negotiations, the entertainment industry is already witnessing a gradual return to normalcy, with many shows resuming their writers’ rooms and production activities. Late-night and daytime shows have made their comeback, offering hope that the industry is on its way to recovery after months of uncertainty.