The Writers Guild of America has formally ratified its three-year contract with Hollywood studios.
The guild announced that an impressive 99 percent of its membership voted in favor of the new agreement, with 8,435 members voting “yes” and only 90 dissenting.
The terms of this new pact will be in effect from September 25, extending through May 1, 2026.
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Meredith Stiehm, President of the Writers Guild of America West, said: “Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership.”
The agreement includes pay raises for each of the next three years.
It covers provisions limiting the use of artificial intelligence and a revamped residual system for streaming platforms based on viewership.
The WGA also successfully negotiated higher contribution rates for health benefits and pensions.
Read More: Hollywood Writers Reach Tentative Deal With Studios To End Lengthy Strike
The studios guaranteed a minimum number of writers in writers’ rooms for television productions.
The productions to resume filming are late-night heavyweights such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver of “Last Week Tonight.”
Now, the spotlight shifts to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
Last week, the union initiated negotiations with major players like Disney, Paramount, Netflix, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
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Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said: “Until the studios make a deal that addresses the needs of performers, WGA members will be on the picket lines, walking side-by-side with SAG-AFTRA in solidarity.”
SAG-AFTRA demands pay increases, improved working conditions, and better health and pension benefits.
The union also seeks to establish guidelines for using artificial intelligence in future television and film productions.
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Additionally, there is a push for increased transparency from streaming services regarding viewership data.
It’s to ensure equitable residual payments compared to traditional linear TV.
Furthermore, standardization of the self-tape audition process is on the guild’s agenda.
