More than 10,000 Hollywood screenwriters are being laid off for the first time since 2007. The union they join, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), has declined a salary offer from the producers. The strike could halt the production of many television programs or delay their launch.
The union negotiated for weeks with studios and streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney, NBC and Sony over salaries and terms, but could not reach an agreement. The producers, united in the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), said they made a “generous offer” but it wasn’t enough for WGA.
According to the union leadership, the writers are in an “existential crisis”. They are affected by declining employment and loss of income sources as the industry shifts from traditional broadcast television and cable programming to streaming services.
In a statement, the WGA denounced the “intransigent attitude” of the producers during the negotiations. It is the first time in fifteen years that the writers have gone on strike.
Night shows
The strike could have important consequences for film and television productions. AMPTP estimates that 20,000 people could be left out of work if writers shut down production. A number of late night shows, including those by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, announced they would not be able to air if the writers went on strike.
Source: BNR
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