For 148 days, members of the Writers Guild of America union protested against inadequate financial compensation and unfavorable working conditions. It has been 16 years since the last Hollywood strike, which lasted 100 days, and shared remarkably similar motivations (AP News). Despite the billions of dollars invested in streaming productions over the past few decades, writers have been consistently struggling to make ends meet, being paid wages that fail to keep pace with rising inflation, and are rarely enough to comfortably support themselves and their families. Writers are also fighting for streaming residuals and, as of recently, job security amid the rise in the use of artificial intelligence. Production companies, already facing challenges, were further strained by widespread layoffs and an increasing tendency to cut costs (The New York Times).
During the strike, writers refused to participate in any scripting or revising, which impacted the entire industry through causing delays for shows and new seasons that were set to air over the course of the coming year. Shows like The Last Of Us, Abbott Elementary, and Euphoria have all had their productions delayed. Late-night talk shows have also suffered a substantial blow, as some of them did not begin airing again until early October. Many actors and celebrities have lent their support to the writers by joining these protests and advocating for better working conditions. The silver lining in this situation lies in the opportunity for authors and entertainers to pursue passion projects and advocate for important causes during the production hiatus (Variety).
After nearly five months, on Sunday September 24th, the Writers Guild of America negotiated a final deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing the largest corporations writers had been striking against. The vote to ratify this deal began on Monday October 2nd, and concluded after a week, signaling the end of the strike and writers’ return to work.
As a result of this deal, working conditions will be notably different and improved. Writers secured a 12.5% wage increase in the next three years and prospective bonuses based on positive streaming data of a given show (Quartz News). A minimum staffing requirement was also implemented for all series longer than 13 episodes in order to prevent the overburdening of employees. Additionally, limits were imposed on companies regarding the use of AI in the workplace, although Guild members themselves retain a considerable degree of autonomy in their own potential use of the tool (Los Angeles Times).
Many developments have been made thanks to the hard work of the Writers Guild, especially during a time when technological advancements, such as AI, pose threats to authors and artists–jobs often deemed easily replaceable. This successful outcome is also encouraging as it serves as a testament to the enduring value of hard work and resilience in an era where efficiency and profit often take precedence.
