Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike authorization, as contract negotiations with major Hollywood studios and networks remain at an impasse. The vote gives the union the authority to call for a strike if necessary, which could potentially disrupt film and TV production across the industry.
The WGA represents thousands of writers who work in the entertainment industry, including those who create scripts for movies, TV shows, and streaming content. The union is currently negotiating a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios and networks such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix.
The two sides have been in talks since March, but have not been able to reach an agreement on several key issues. These include disputes over streaming residuals, which are payments writers receive when their work is streamed on streaming platforms; pension and health benefits; and staffing levels for TV writers. The WGA has argued that writers are not receiving their fair share of profits from streaming, which has become an increasingly important part of the entertainment business in recent years.
In response to the strike authorization vote, the AMPTP issued a statement expressing disappointment and calling for further negotiations. "Our goal is, and continues to be, to reach a fair and reasonable agreement. An agreement is only possible if the Guild is committed to turning its focus to serious bargaining by engaging in full discussions of the issues with the companies and searching for reasonable compromises," the statement read.
If a strike is called, it would be the first in Hollywood since the WGA went on strike in 2007-2008. That strike, which lasted for 100 days, resulted in widespread production shutdowns and revenue losses for studios and networks. It also highlighted the growing importance of digital media and the need for writers to receive fair compensation for their work in this new landscape.