Writers Guild Strike Averted as WGA, AMPTP Reach Tentative Deal
A writers’ strike that could have mirrored the 2007-08 stoppage that had an indelible impact on the TV (as well as film) industry has been averted, as the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) reached a tentative agreement early Tuesday morning, following seven weeks of talks.
Per our sister site Deadline, the three-year TV and film collective bargaining agreement, among other things, will offer better protections to the writers of short-order TV shows — an increasingly common phenomenon that had resulted in decreased paydays for basically working just as many hours.
The WGA’s health plan will also get a boost per the new agreement, which now goes to the WGA West and East’s respective councils for approval, before ratification by guild members.
The AMPTP also agreed to update to a logo not from the 1960s. (Kidding! #4amHumor.)
The WGA strike of 2007-08… well, it was a thing, kids. With no new scripts being churned out for three full months, numerous series saw their seasons trimmed or slashed, some shows (24, Chuck e.g.) had their premieres postponed, and a handful of already low-rated programs (The 4400, NBC’s Bionic Woman reboot… Cavemen) died on the vine. Meanwhile, a few shows (namely daytime soaps) brought in “scab” writers to keep the scripts flowing.
Are you relieved to hear we wont have to endure that again?
Was so hoping this would save NCIS and CM
Crisis averted!
that was too close, WGA deals should never expire around cancellation season
So glad they reached a good deal for WGA and another strike won’t happen. The writers deserve all they wanted for the great work they do.
Awesome news. So glad they were able to work something out.
Good that there wont be a strike. The last one was really bad especially for television. I hope the writers got mostly what they wanted
Great news! Ratings aren’t what they were at the last strike and I was worried broadcast tv wouldn’t survive this round. Also glad for daytime soaps. The last thing they need is more bad news.
I had no recollection why The 4400 ended, so it was interesting to read it was as a result of the strike (and of course low ratings). I enjoyed that show. In the era of peak-TV today, if there was a strike would we have seen cancellations on par with the 2007-2008 strike? Glad we won’t be able to find out…
And there goes my very last hope for a sequel to Dr. Horrible.
Ha. Yeah, I suppose that was the one silver lining of the last strike.
That was my thought too! Good for like everything else though.
let us not forget the worst writers’ strike casualty of all #RIPpushingdaisies