Writers Guild of America strike ends after 148 days

The Writers Guild of America strike has finally ended after 148 days!

The development comes after the association came to a consensus on a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers earlier this week.

The Writers Guild of America on Tuesday (October 10) announced that the 148-day-long strike has come to an end.

The new contract is valid until May 1, 2026, three years after the previous contract’s expiration which led to the said strike.

Writers Guild of America West announced that 99% of its members voted in favor of ratifying the three-year contract deal agreed upon last month by the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services, and production companies.

“Of the 8,525 valid votes cast there were 8,435 ‘yes’ votes and 90 ‘no’ votes (1%),” the labor union said in a statement. “The term of the agreement is from September 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026.”

The tentative deal bars the use of AI for writing or rewriting literary material and sets guidelines for when writers can elect to use it.

The new agreement allows room for writers to opt for AI assistance in their writing, only after they obtain approval from the studios.

As reported, it also guarantees better remuneration for writers and sets up minimal staffing requirements for TV writers’ rooms based on the episode count.

During the WGA strike, which started earlier this year in May, the Writers Guild of America —representing 11,500 screenwriters— halted work over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The strike led to the suspension of most scripted TV shows and major film productions.

On the other hand, SAG-AFTRA actors remain on strike since July, but the ratified deal with writers could help the Screen Actors Guild find a resolution with AMPTP soon.