WGA ratifies studio writers contract

The Writers Guild of America has formally ratified the new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Of 3,647 votes cast by WGA members, 99.2% said yes to the new package, which significant introduces a new formula to compensate for networks reducing episode counts of new shows and introduces new residuals pay TV and high-ends subscription VOD programmes.

It also guarantees parental leave and the solvency of healthcare plans.

The union had tentatively struck the deal with the studios and other producers earlier this month.

This came after a tense negotiation that saw Hollywood’s writers come close to striking. This would have effectively shut down production on various shows.

The new deal, with both the Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East have okayed, runs until May 1, 2020, handing certainty to TV scribes and producers during the three-year period.

“Our success in these negotiations was due to a highly engaged and dedicated membership, working in tandem with a tireless and informed negotiating committee and an extraordinary guild staff,” a statement from WGAW president Howard A. Rodman and WGAE president Michael Winship read. “We achieved new and significant gains that will help today’s writers even as they benefit the next generation.

“Our thanks go out to all of those who contributed to the process and to the thousands of our fellow writers who participated in the strike authorisation and ratification votes.”