Before we begin this article, a big congratulations go out to the Writers Guild of America for their big victory today. After five months, the Writer’s Guild strike will be over as of 12:01 a.m. PT on Wednesday.
“Today, your 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 receive ballot and materials for the vote which will take place from October 2nd to October 9th.”
The Writer’s Guild Of America
According to Deadline and the WGA, the term of the agreement begins on September 25, 2023, and through May 1, 2026. Writers can return to work while the ratification process plays out. The strike went on for 148 days, a few days short of the Guild’s previous strike in 1988, which lasted for 153 days.
The deal delivered on many of what scribes have seen in the core of their profession, big leaps in AI Guardrails, residuals, and data transparency for writers (something that can be possibly used in the upcoming negotiations between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA.
What Does It Include?
- Increased Contribution to Health and Pensions, Including Increased Contributions For Writing Teams.
- Screenwriter Compensation
- Improved Terms in High Budget Subscription Video on Demand (HBSVOD)
- Specific Regulations On Artificial Intelligence:
- AI can’t write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated material will not be considered source material under the MBA, meaning that AI-generated material can’t be used to undermine a writer’s credit or separated rights.
- A writer can choose to use AI when performing writing services, if the company consents and provided that the writer follows applicable company policies, but the company can’t require the writer to use AI software (e.g., ChatGPT) when performing writing services.
- The Company must disclose to the writer if any materials given to the writer have been generated by AI or incorporate AI-generated material.
- The WGA reserves the right to assert that exploitation of writers’ material to train AI is prohibited by MBA or other law.
- Improved Terms for Screenwriter Employment
- Minimum Terms for Advertising-Supported Streaming (AVOD)
- Increased Compensation for Series Employment: Weekly Pay and Staff Writer Script Fees
- Staffing and Duration Provisions for Episodic Series
- Improved Options, Exclusivity, and Span Protections
- Appendix A Series Made for Subscription Streaming Services
For a detailed breakdown of what was included in the agreement, be sure to visit the WGA’s Contract Summary website. While one battle may be ending, the war for better wages and benefits continues with the SAG-AFTRA Strike, Walt Disney Production and VFX Workers, and Marvel Studios VFX.
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