Hollywood has been immobilized by writers’ strikes, but on Sunday they claimed to have achieved a “exceptional” agreement with studios that could allow them to resume their jobs.
The apparent progress will increase confidence that striking actors and studios can come to an agreement to end their months-long standoff, which has largely stalled film and television production and cost the Californian economy billions of dollars.
“We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 (minimum basic agreement), which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language,” said a letter the Writers Guild of America sent to members.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
The letter, which AFP has seen, gave no details. It said language was being ironed out and that the final say on whether to accept what was on offer rested with the membership.
“To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing,” it said.
An agreement was verified in a brief joint statement from the WGA and the AMPTPT, the organization that unites studios and streamers.
