WGA, AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement but Guild Says ‘No One Is to Return to Work Until…’ –

About 146 days after the writers went on strike in Hollywood, it has been reported that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a tentative agreement. According to Variety, both parties came to a tentative conclusion on Sunday evening after five days of negotiations. The deal was presented and tentatively agreed upon on Sunday. Reacting to the deal, WGA’s negotiating committee said that it was an ‘exceptional’ deal and that it would gain the writers.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA’s negotiating committee was quoted by the international publication. Although a tentative agreement has been charted out, WGA has strictly told its members to not resume work until they have authorized it.

“To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. 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. Finally, we appreciated your patience as you waited for news from us — and had to fend off rumors — during the last few days of the negotiation,” the message mentioned. It is reported that Guild leaders are likely to cast their vote on whether they should formally lift the strike order against AMPTP signatories on Tuesday.

The news comes as a sigh of relief for Hollywood. The writers’ strike began in May. The WGA demanded better wages for writers in the industry, residual payments from streaming services for their work, and job protections against the use of artificial intelligence.

Owing to the strike, several international projects have come to a standstill and many big-budget films have also been delayed.