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Hollywood on the brink of collapse: screenwriters strike starting May 1

For the first time in the last 16 years, the union could order a work stoppage with the approval of almost 98% of its members.

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(File / Wikimedia Commons)

Published by
Rosana Rábago Sainz

Hollywood is on the verge of collapse as a screenwriters' strike is called for May 1. For the first time in the last sixteen years, the union could order a work stoppage with the approval of almost 98% of its members. Deadline reported that a total of 9,020 people said they would support the strike (97.85%) versus 198 screenwriters who are opposed (2.15%).

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has ordered a total shutdown of writers' activities unless the committee meets with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and reaches an agreement by May 1. The AMPTP is the conglomerate of audiovisual studios that includes companies such as Walt Disney Corporation, Warner Bross, Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

Scriptwriters' requests

The union is calling for the union's salary, which it values at $600 million, to be adjusted to new criteria. WGA pointed out that it is not the same to receive a salary every time a series or movie is broadcast on television as it is now. Nowadays, movies and series can be watched again and again as part of the catalog of a streaming platform. It’s not something that screenwriters see reflected in their pay.

In addition, Variety reported that the writers also want to create a new regulation that would allow them to use artificial intelligence to write their scripts as long as it does not affect the compensation and credits they receive for their writing.

The union also wants to review the flexibility of its affiliates. According to them, nowadays TV series are shorter and, in addition, there is a lot of time between one season and the next. Therefore, they are requesting that writers be able to look for other work during downtime without having to wait until production resumes on the series they are working on.

WGA pointed out in a statement that these aspects of the agreement have the support of nearly all screenwriters. This proves that virtually the entire union is calling for change:

These results set a new record for both participation and the percentage of support in a strike authorization vote. Our membership has spoken. You have expressed your collective strength, solidarity and the demand for meaningful change in overwhelming numbers. Armed with this demonstration of unity and resolve, we will continue to work at the negotiating table to achieve a fair contract for all writers.
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