WGA And Producers Reach Deal To End 5-Month Strike

A deal was finally reached on Sunday by WGA, Motion Picture and Television Producers after days of negotiations to end the strike that took close to five months, pending final agreements.

The deal came through after 5 days of negotiations, paving the way for a three-year contract that will see members of the Writers Guild of America getting a better deal from the Motion Picture and Television Producers. Following the tentative deal, producers and streamers are working behind the scenes to get productions up and running.

The strike, which started in early May, saw WGA successfully mustering its members to down their tools for a total of 142 days, an action that brought production and streaming close to a halt. The negotiating committee, led by Chris Keyser and David Goodman was backed by a majority of the guild’s members, enabling them to push through with negotiation of pertinent issues that would later give rise to a new model-streaming residual formula. 

According to initial WGA reports, the new model amounts to a bonus system based on pre-determined, high-bar performance benchmarks for individual titles. The negotiating committee sent a statement to its members confirming that an agreement had been reached, without giving full details of the deal.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” said the negotiating committee in a statement.

“What remains now is for our staff to make sure everything we have agreed to is codified in final contract language.” The negotiating committee members also added that though they are eager to share the details of what has been achieved with members, they cannot do that until the last “i” is dotted.

“To do so would complicate our ability to finish the job. So, as you have been patient with us before, we ask you to be patient again – one last time,” said the members in a statement.

The negotiating committee however asked members not to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. In a statement they added: “But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing. Instead, if you are able, we encourage you to join the SAG-AFTRA picket lines this week.”

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager