WGA strikes 2023: Everything you need to know
A new writers' strike has started, essentially grinding most of Hollywood to a halt in the process. But what does it all mean – and what does it mean for you? To help give you a clearer picture on what could be an industry-defining period, we’ve put together a quick guide on the 2023 WGA strike.
Below, we’ve laid out all the essential details on the strike, which began on May 2. That includes why the WGA voted to go on strike, what they’re demanding, and when the strike could end.
Yes, it may seem like many of your favorite movies and series are in danger of going on hiatus, but this is a dispute that could have further repercussions than shutting down products. So read on as we cover all bases, painting a clearer picture as to why negotiations have hit a roadblock – and what happened the last time writers went on strike.
The Writers Guild of America is a union that represents writers in film, television, radio, and online media. There are two branches, East and West, which operate separately out of New York City and Los Angeles, but they negotiate contracts and launch strike action together.
The WGA started their latest strike on May 2, 2023, their first industrial action since 2007. Union members are striking now after the guild failed to negotiate a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood studios, after their previous deal expired on May 1.
The main reason for the strike is unsatisfactory pay – median screenwriter pay hasn't risen since 2018 and, if we're accounting for inflation, it's actually fallen by 14%, while median weekly pay for writer-producers has declined by 23% over the last decade when adjusting for inflation. WGA members also have demands for
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