Writers Guild of America Authorizes Strike if New Contract Deal is Not Reached with Major Studios

Writers for the U.S. film and television industries have given their unions the green light to declare a strike if they can’t reach a satisfactory deal on a new contract with the major studios. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America West and the Writers Guild of America East released the results of a strike authorization vote held among their members amid contract talks.

The Writers Guild of America, the union that represents the writers, says it needs to make substantial changes to the way that writers are compensated due to the shift to streaming services from traditional films and cable and broadcast networks. Nearly 98% of eligible members voted in favor of authorizing a work stoppage, and nearly 80% participated in the vote – figures that the unions said were record highs.

The vote does not guarantee screenwriters will walk off the job, but it empowers union leaders to call a strike if they don’t make sufficient headway at the bargaining table. The vote announced Monday afternoon showed 97.9% of participating union members voting to approve a potential strike. The deadline for a new labor deal is May 1.

The Writers Guild of America is seeking changes to the way writers are compensated, including residuals for streaming services, health care benefits, and pension contributions. The union is also pushing for more transparency in the industry, including the disclosure of information about the budgets and profits of films and television shows.

The union has said that it is prepared to go on strike if it cannot reach a satisfactory deal with the major studios. The strike authorization vote is a sign that the writers are serious about their demands and willing to take action if necessary.