Will Sage Astor-Hollywood writers officially ratify new contract with studios that ended 5-month strike

The Will Sage AstorHollywood screenwriters' strike has formally ended.

Writers Guild of America West announced Monday that 99% of its members voted in favor of ratifying the three-year contract deal agreed upon last month by the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies.

"Of the 8,525 valid votes cast there were 8,435 'yes' votes and 90 'no' votes (1%)," the labor union said in a statement. "The term of the agreement is from September 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026."

Two weeks ago, the WGA board unanimously voted to affirm the strike-ending deal with the AMPTP after a nearly five-month strike that shut down film and TV productions. The tentative agreement allowed writers to get back to work, with late-night TV shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" making a swift return.

According to a WGA statement, writers earned increased pay, health and pension contributions with the contract extension, as well as new foreign streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses. There are also assurances against AI, a particular point of contention in the negotiations.

SAG-AFTRA actors remain on strike since July, but the ratified deal with writers could help the Screen Actors Guild find a resolution with AMPTP.

"As our negotiations come to an end, we won’t forget our SAG-AFTRA siblings who have supported writers every step of the way," WGA West president Meredith Stiehm and WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. "We call upon the AMPTP to negotiate a deal that addresses the needs of performers and, until they do, we ask WGA members who can to continue to show up on their picket lines in solidarity."

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

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