Hollywood writers ratify new contract with studios

Hollywood film and TV writers voted overwhelmingly to approve a new three-year contract with the major entertainment studios, the Writers Guild of America said Monday, formally bringing to a close a bitter five-month labor dispute.

During the one-week voting period, more than 8,500 writers submitted ballots, and the contract was ratified with 99 per cent of the vote, according to the Writers Guild, which represents more than 11,000 screenwriters.

“Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago,” said Meredith Stiehm, president of the Writers Guild’s western branch, in an email to members.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of the major studios, congratulated the union in a statement, adding, “It is important progress for our industry that writers are back to work.”

Ratification had widely been expected, and the practical effects from the vote will be fairly minimal. Writers Guild board members had already unanimously voted to approve the agreement, and the 148-day screenwriter strike — one of the longest in the union’s history — ended Sept 27.

Picketing was quickly suspended, and writers have returned to work. Productions that do not need the services of striking actors — most notably talk shows — have already started airing new episodes. Productions of scripted movies and TV shows remain paused.

During the screenwriter voting period, all attention in the entertainment industry has been focused on the negotiations between studios and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the union representing tens of thousands of striking actors. The two sides began bargaining Oct. 2 and were scheduled for another session Monday. The meetings are the first formal sit-downs between the sides since the actors went on strike July 14.

The strikes brought Hollywood to a standstill, and the financial fallout has been significant.

There is widespread optimism in the entertainment industry that a deal between the actors and the studios could be reached soon. Once the actors’ strike is resolved, thousands of entertainment workers — including drivers, makeup artists, florists and set builders — will be able to return to work.