WGA strike to officially end at midnight after FIVE MONTHS as guild leaders approve tentative deal

The leaders of Hollywood´s writers union have declared their nearly five-month-old strike over after board members approved a contract agreement with studios.

The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) both voted to accept the deal, and afterward declared that the strike would be over and writers would be free to work starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The writers still have to vote to ratify the contract themselves, but lifting the strike will allow them to work during that process, the Writers Guild told members in an email.

Hollywood actors remain on strike with no talks yet on the horizon, with writers now being encouraged to walk in solidarity with actors. 

The writers still have to vote to ratify the contract themselves, but lifting the strike will allow them to work during that process 

Actors Jack Black, left, and Bob Odenkirk join demonstrators outside the Paramount Pictures Studio in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023

Thee WGA negotiating committee said: ‘The WGA reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a new three-year Minimum Basic Agreement. 

‘On September 26th, the Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement. 

‘It will now go to both guilds’ memberships for a ratification vote. Eligible voters will be able to vote from October 2nd through October 9th, and will receive ballot and ratification materials when the vote opens.

‘The WGAW Board and WGAE Council also voted to lift the restraining order and end the strike as of 12:01 am PT/3:01 am ET on Wednesday, September 27th. 

‘This allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not affect the membership’s right to make a final determination on contract approval.’

Thousands of film and television scribes downed their pens in early May over demands including better pay, greater rewards for creating hit shows, and protection from artificial intelligence.

They have manned picket lines for months outside offices including Netflix and Disney, and were joined by striking actors in mid-July, leaving normally busy Hollywood lots all but vacant in a dramatic show of force.

Five days of intensive talks between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, culminated Sunday.

With hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could still then take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work.

Actors were on the picket lines Tuesday outside Netflix, being joined by members of the WGA who were there in support.

‘Our strike is over. But the battle goes on until the actors get their deal,’ said WGA member Vinnie Wilhelm.

‘We would not have gotten the deal that we have gotten if it weren’t for the support of the actors.’