The 2023 Writers Guild Of America Strike Explained

On March 7, 2023, WGA members approved a list of demands which propose a modified approach to writer compensation, including an increase in all compensation minimums, an increase in residuals, minimum staffing requirements, improved pension and health plans, and the regulation of artificial intelligence in scriptwriting. These demands confront ongoing issues devaluing writers and threatening their rights in the uncharted territories of streaming and rapid technological advancements. "Companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels," WGA wrote in a statement addressing the crisis titled "Writers Are Not Keeping Up." "On TV staffs, more writers are working at minimum regardless of experience, often for fewer weeks, or in mini-rooms, while showrunners are left without a writing staff to complete the season. And while series budgets have soared over the past decade, median writer-producer pay has fallen."

In other words, writers working in streaming are not treated equally to those working in broadcast and theatrical releases. The WGA proposal chart outlines a set of protections that would keep streaming writers on par with broadcast and theatrical standards. It's noted in WGA's "Writers Are Not Keeping Up" that the rise of streaming services as the primary source of entertainment has led to a significant shift in the industry, where half of series writers can be found working for these platforms. However, the AMPTP has yet to show any urgency to adapt to these changes.

Although studios and networks appear to be feigning ignorance in the wake of the strike, the WGA's response comes as a surprise to no one else. With stakes high and big changes being requested, the possibility of a strike has been on everyone's minds since the lead-up to negotiations at the beginning of the year. Instead of doing their part to address the issues raised, studios were making adjustments behind the scenes in an attempt to soften the blow as best they could before negotiations even started. In preparation, production schedules were sped up, and scripts were stored in advance, while priority is being given to international productions and unscripted shows.

Beginning in March, 98.4% of WGA members voted in favor of a list of demands brought to negotiations that began on March 20, 2023. Unable to make any headway, the WGA called for a strike authorization vote among its members from April 11-17, 2023. "They have listened politely to our presentations and made small moves in only a few areas, almost entirely coupled with rollbacks designed to offset any gains. In short, the studios have shown no sign that they intend to address the problems our members are determined to fix in this negotiation," WGA negotiators told The Los Angeles Times. The WGA inevitably called for the strike when neither party reached common ground by the May 1 deadline, beginning picket lines on May 2. As predictable and preventable as the work stoppage was, the AMPTP refused to budge, leading to where we are today.

The 2023 WGA strike is the seventh one to take place since the union's founding in 1933. Writers' strikes have previously been organized in the years 1960, 1973, 1981, 1985, 1988, and 2007 — the longest lasting 153 days in 1988. The last time talks about a possible strike were floated was in 2017 when the WGA called for a strike authorization vote. Fortunately, a contract agreement was reached in time to avoid the strike. However, when trying to cope with current events, many are reminded of the most recent strike that lasted 100 days in 2007-2008.

On November 5, 2007, the WGA went on strike when the AMPTP rejected a series of proposals crucial to the future of the entertainment industry. Protections regarding new media, animation and reality program writers, and DVD residuals were front and center during a time of rapid technological and industry changes — much like today. The consequences of the strike were detrimental, costing California's economy $2.1 billion and 37,700 jobs. An overwhelming amount of TV programs were scrapped while reality programs like "The Apprentice" thrived through the chaos. But if you're looking to the past for answers, you won't find many. Fifteen years is a long time, and a lot has changed. The adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sheer gravity of what is at stake suggest that today's strike could result in greater devastation.

You may be wondering, "How does this affect me?" Well, unfortunately, many of your favorite shows have already gone dark, with more set to follow. Late-night talk shows like "The Late Show," "The Tonight Show," and "Late Night" are the first to go, since turnaround on episodes happens on a daily basis, along with the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live." Luckily, this strike is fighting for the best interest of comedy-variety and talk show writers. "Companies have refused basic MBA protections — minimums for scripts and weeklies — for comedy-variety writers when they work on streaming series, even though episodic writers working for the same companies have those minimum standards," the WGA writes in their "Writers Are Not Keeping Up" bulletin. "Under the current MBA, compensation for writers on streaming comedy-variety series is entirely negotiable. Unsurprisingly, the amounts paid to these streaming writers are often lower than those paid to their peers." In the meantime, these writers will have to rely on the union strike fund like everyone else as their source of income, hoping for a better future.

Many other writers' rooms have shut down in solidarity with the strike. Showtime's "Yellowjackets" was one day into writing Season 3 before pausing for the strike. Netflix's "Cobra Kai" showed no mercy when they halted writing for Season 6. Netflix's "Big Mouth," ABC's "Abbott Elementary," and Starz's "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" have also shut their writers' room doors, while NBC's "Night Court" and CBS's "The Talk" have ceased production for the time being.

When it comes to striking, writers are not alone. Other Hollywood labor unions, such as the actors union SAG-AFTRA, the directors union DGA, the below-the-line union IATSE, and Teamsters Local 399, are publicly backing the cause by respecting picket lines. "We're all sticking together," Teamsters leader Lindsay Dougherty told Variety. "We have an opportunity to change things in this industry, and the only way we're going to do that is if we're together."

However, non-WGA unions remain under contract with a no-strike clause. In response, each union has released its own set of recommendations for how its members should approach picket lines. Besides Teamsters, who offer protection against choosing not to cross active picket lines, the remaining unions encourage members to demonstrate their individual rights while advising against the potential consequences, such as being replaced on a job by an employer. These conditions could change as the rest of their contracts are renegotiated later this year.

As devastating as missing out on new episodes of your favorite show may be, a much bigger picture looms in the background. Not only will this strike set a precedent for all upcoming Hollywood labor union negotiations, but it also sets the stage for workers' rights and protection expectations across all industries.

Last year, the U.S. labor movement appeared to be on the rise as retail, service, health care, and transportation sectors organized campaigns at historical rates, while approval rates reached the highest they've been since 1965 at 71%. There was a nearly 50% increase in strikes compared to 2021 as workers urged for corporate cooperation. Although unions have seen a lot of growth, non-union jobs have grown at an even faster rate, ultimately leading to falling union rate numbers. Unionization obviously has a long way to go, but the unity expressed and attention surrounding the WGA strike can help to normalize fair working conditions and inspire the rest of the U.S. workforce.