Hollywood Writers For The Writers Guild of America West and East Unanimously Vote for Strike
HOLLYWOOD – Hollywood writers have gone on strike, effective today, after six weeks of failed negotiations with major studios under the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The unanimous decision to strike was made by the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) after their memberships authorized their respective boards of directors and councils to do so.
The writers’ main grievances include the creation of a gig economy inside a union workforce, the devaluing of writing as a profession, and the studios’ refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television. The studios’ insistence on a “day rate” in comedy variety and their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers have also contributed to the writers’ decision to strike. The writers view the studios’ behaviour as closing the door on their labour force and opening the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession.
The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to Hollywood’s film and television production schedules, with picketing set to begin tomorrow afternoon. The Writers Guild of America West and East are labour unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members.
The writers’ demands are not new. The issue of the gig economy inside a union workforce has been a point of contention between the writers and the studios for some time. The writers argue that the studios’ insistence on freelance work and their refusal to guarantee weekly employment in episodic television have led to financial insecurity for writers. The creation of a “day rate” in comedy variety is seen as a further attempt by the studios to pay writers less and further devalue their work.
Hollywood Writers Demand Fair Deals and End to Gig Economy Inside Union Workforce
The studios’ stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers is another major issue. The writers argue that free work for screenwriters, also known as “spec work,” is a widespread practice that is unfair and harms the profession. The studios’ insistence on AI for all writers is seen as a threat to the profession as a whole.
The writers’ strike is not without precedent. In 2007-2008, the Writers Guild of America went on strike for 100 days, causing significant disruptions to the film and television industry. The strike ended after the writers reached a deal with the studios that included higher pay for writers and residual payments for streaming content.
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The Writers Guild of America West and East are hoping for a similar outcome this time around. The writers are demanding fair deals that protect their creative and economic rights and end the gig economy inside a union workforce. They are hoping that the studios will come back to the negotiating table and work towards a deal that is fair for everyone.
In conclusion, the strike by Hollywood writers is a significant event that will impact the film and television industry. The writers are demanding fair deals that protect their creative and economic rights and end the gig economy inside a union workforce. The studios’ behaviour has been seen as wholly insufficient given the existential crisis writers are facing, and the strike is seen as a necessary step towards achieving a fair deal. The Writers Guild of America West and East are hoping for a quick resolution to the strike and a deal that is fair for everyone.
