The Strike is Over, but the Fight is Not Yet Won

On Wednesday, after 148 days, the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike formally ended. Haber Tusba had the opportunity to speak with the newly elected WGA East president, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, and WGA East executive director, Lowell Peterson, about the end of the strike and their tentative three-year MBA agreement with the Hollywood studios. Although the deal still needs to be ratified, the details revealed about the pact with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) are points of pride for the WGA East leadership.

Achieving Gains Forever

Takeuchi Cullen expressed her satisfaction with the gains made during the negotiations, stating, “not only did we achieve these gains, we achieved them forever.” She emphasized that the new contract codifies important provisions, such as the requirement for writers rooms in television shows and protections for artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. Takeuchi Cullen also highlighted the importance of handling these issues now before it becomes too late in the future.

Peterson added that early on in the negotiations, there were doubts from the industry side about the WGA’s ambitious goals. However, the solidarity shown by other unions, including SAG-AFTRA, the Teamsters, and IATSE, proved to be a turning point. The support from these unions demonstrated that the WGA was not isolated and forced the AMPTP to reconsider their bargaining strategies.

Supporting SAG-AFTRA

As the WGA nears the end of their battle with the AMPTP, attention now turns to SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations. Takeuchi Cullen and Peterson expressed their support for SAG-AFTRA, acknowledging that while the writers’ needs may differ from the actors’, there are overlaps, particularly in areas like AI. The WGA East leadership has been in close communication with the leaders of other unions and emphasized the importance of continuing to support each other.

The Transition Back to Work

With the strike over, the focus now shifts to helping writers transition back to work. The WGA East acknowledges that not all writers were attached to writers rooms or employed during the strike. They are ready to support those writers and have implemented programs to assist them in finding work and keeping working. The WGA East is providing information about the details of the deal and the return to work, encouraging members to reach out with any specific questions.

While the strike may be over, the fight for fair treatment and protections in the industry continues. The WGA East is committed to supporting its members and other unions in their ongoing battles, recognizing the importance of unity and solidarity in achieving lasting change.