- The strike, which lasted for about 5 months and was initiated by screenwriters in Hollywood and attended by the actors, ended after an agreement was reached with the studios.
- The Writers Guild of America (WGA) said the agreement “provides meaningful gains and security for screenwriters.”
The strike that has been going on for about 5 months, initiated by the screenwriters and joined by the actors, in Hollywood, the heart of the US film and TV series industry, ended today. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) said in a statement that union leaders “unanimously voted to end the strike.” The WGA’s 11,500 members will then vote on whether to approve a three-year deal that offers wage increases and assurances on the use of artificial intelligence. The vote is expected to be held between October 2-9. Although there is a theoretical possibility that the agreement will be rejected, this is considered unlikely. Because the WGA stated that the agreement was “an agreement that provides meaningful gains and assurance for screenwriters.”
What are these gains?
According to the information shared, within the scope of the agreement, the salaries of the writers will increase. However, audience data will be shared more transparently and authors will receive bonus payments for works that become popular. In addition, it will be mandatory to employ a certain number of personnel for a production.
According to the agreement, artificial intelligence will not be able to write literary texts. Even if a person or organization creates a literary text with tools like ChatGPT, this text will not be accepted as a source. Companies won’t force writers to use AI. Additionally, if there is a text created by artificial intelligence, all parties will be informed. Thus, transparency will be ensured.
A separate dispute concerns actors on strike.
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members also joined the screenwriters’ strike, which started on May 2, on July 13. This strike was the longest strike to affect Hollywood. The strike stemmed from a dispute over pay and the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
That strike cost the U.S. economy about $5 billion, Milken Institute economist Kevin Klowden estimates. The dispute has stalled many of America’s top programs. With this agreement, most of the programs can return to broadcasting.
The end of the WGA strike isn’t returning Hollywood to normal. Because the players’ union, which stopped work in July, continues to remain on strike. Just like writers, actors want improvements in wages, working conditions, health and retirement rights. They are also committed to establishing limitations for the use of AI in future television and film productions.
Compiled by: Nazlı Koyuncu