The Writers Guild of America has reached a “tentative deal” with studios and streamers following months of strike action.
After spending 146 days on the picket lines, the WGA has negotiated an “exceptional” new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – the group representing studios and streamers – The Hollywood Reporter claims.
While there’s little detail about what the contract entails, negotiators are optimistic it will end the writers’ strike which has brought Hollywood to a complete standstill, after actors concurrently went on strike in July.
Following five consecutive days of negotiations, the WGA and AMPTP came to a loose agreement on Sunday, US time.
It’s expected more information will come to light in coming days as WGA needs its 11,500 members to ratify the deal.
WGA representatives emailed members shortly after reaching a new 2023 Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA).
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” a letter from WGA read.
“What remains now is for our staff to make sure everything we have agreed to is codified in final contract language. And though we are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with you, we cannot do that until the last ‘i’ is dotted.”
Writers have been on strike since May 2 after over six weeks of negotiations with major studios including Netflix, Apple, Amazon and Disney failed to reach a resolution.
The WGA was soon bolstered by the support of actors, with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) kicking off in July.
The SAG-AFTRA strike has seen several big-budget film and TV productions delayed, as well as daily talk shows.