The Writers Guild of America and the major studios have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that will hopefully bring an end to the 146-day strike.
After five consecutive days of negotiations, negotiators for the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are said to be nearing the finish line. There is apparently still some finessing needed on the fine print of language around groundbreaking additions to the WGA's Minimum Basic Agreement.
"We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional -- with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership," the WGA's negotiating committee wrote in an email sent to members at 7:10 p.m. PT on Sunday.
But, for now, the strike, which began on May 2, isn't officially over.
Guild leaders are expected to vote Tuesday on whether to formally lift the strike order against the AMPTP. Picketing has, however, been suspended as of Sunday night.
"To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then," the message to members explained.
Details of the contract agreement won't be released until the final language is completed over the coming days.
After that language is hashed out, WGA leadership will vote on whether or not to send the deal to the board of the WGA West and council of WGA East. Both will then vote and, if approved, the contract will be sent to the WGA's 11,000 members for a ratification vote.
Meanwhile, actors remain on strike. Members of SAG-AFTRA walked out July 14, two weeks after their contract expired on June 30. Soap actors are part of a different contract and are permitted to continue working.
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