# Writers Guild of America goes on strike (5/2/23) tentative deal (9/25/23) Now accepted (10/9/23) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** ai\ **Created:** [May 2, 2023, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448 "2023-05-02T04:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/441 "2023-09-22T15:34:47Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Yes, I think we’ve painted ourselves into a corner here. Shoulda listened to Mary. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2023, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/442 "2023-09-23T03:28:20Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I’m currently towards the end of a major industrial construction project. Big figures, very complicated, **massive safety and quality implications** if things go wrong. > At no point have I, as the purchaser of services, dictated how many people are to be employed to accomplish this. At no point in the countless number of projects I’ve been involved with has that subject _ever_ come up. Emphasis added. And there are no contractual obligations about numbers of safety personnel and/or quality inspectors? I disbelieve you. Even if it’s just implied in “bid must contain the resume and qualifications of the project manager, lead engineer, and safety chief”. That’s a dictation of how many people are to be employed _at a minimum_. I work in IT and MANY, if not most, contracts specify a minimum of 1 PM (with specific experience/certifications), X developers (with specific experience/certifications), Y QA people (with specific experience/certifications), etc, etc, etc. It helps weed out the dumbass companies who say they can do it in 3 months with 3 people and _always_ fail - which costs time and money (really the same thing, in IT and in construction). Keep in mind these are minimums. We aren’t telling them how many people to use, we’re just telling them that they must have _this_ many at least or we won’t consider their bid. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/443 "2023-09-23T09:16:07Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Emphasis added. And there are no contractual obligations about numbers of safety personnel and/or quality inspectors? There are contractual requirements about such _roles_ and _responsibilities_, but they do not refer to a minimum number of people to be employed to do that. For some such roles the mimimum could be considered as one (as in, it must be a responsibility taken on by _someone_) but even then there are many times where a single person has taken on multiple such roles. (i.e. process validation/Data Integrity or EHS/QA) Whoever does the work is under contractual obligation (and in some cases, legal obligation) to complete the work to a standard, a time and a budget. They are free to deploy their employee resources how they choose within that framework. There is no minimum specified by us, nor by a union. Now if you are saying that “at least one person must take on a specific task or responsibility” counts as specifying a minimal staffing level then yes, I concede that that would be a reasonable demand but then I think that counts as glaringly obvious. i.e. if _zero_ people do the work that needs to get done then obviously it won’t get done. So the staffing levels must at least rise above zero. As for IT projects specifically. In terms of cost overruns, scope screep and delays they have been universally the worst failures for us but I’m not aware that minimum staffing levels have ever been a cause or a solution. (we have post-project reviews as a matter of course) I do fully understand though why you would put some form of sniff-test in place to weed out the “man with a van” bidders. [Though they are not always a failure.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPBP50dXcsk) ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/444 "2023-09-23T14:29:28Z")
Mover contacts (at least in my experience) specify the number of movers. If the customer wants the job done quickly, they can pay for extra hands. I think that’s the point of the WGA item. If you want two episodes cranked out quickly, then hire enough writers to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/445 "2023-09-24T00:00:44Z")
Looks like the WGA will be ending its strike this weekend. Wonder what they got in the new deal. > **[AMPTP, WGA Negotiations in Home Stretch as Lawyers Gather to Hammer Out Language](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/writers-strike-wga-amptp-contract-talks-2-1235733340/)** > > The WGA and Hollywood studios are in the home stretch of contract talks that will end one of the longest work stoppages in guild history. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2023, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/446 "2023-09-24T05:41:06Z")
AMPTP claims to have made its “final offer”. Presumably, if the WGA says no, the studios will have no choice but to give up making pictures and go into drycleaning or something. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/447 "2023-09-25T01:05:37Z")
NBC News is reporting sources saying an agreement has been reached, but they are still haggling over exact wording. No confirmation, but hope it’s true. It would still have to be ratified by the members. > **[Hollywood writers strike could soon end as both sides reach agreement,...](https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/hollywood-writers-strike-could-soon-end-as-both-sides-reach-agreement-sources-say-193670725748)** > > Hollywood’s writers strike could end at any moment. Two sources familiar with negotiations told NBC News that the two sides have come to an agreement but are haggling over language in the deal. NBC News’ Chloe Melas reports. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/448 "2023-09-25T02:28:41Z")
There is a deal for the writers. > **[Deal! WGA, AMPTP Reach Historic Contract Agreement to End 146-Day Writers...](https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/writers-strike-ends-wga-amptp-deal-2-1235733452/)** > > The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative contract agreement that will bring an end the 146-day writers strike. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/449 "2023-09-27T00:42:22Z")
…just reviewing the details of the negotiations here: > **[wga-negotiations-tentative-agreement.pdf](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/wgacontract/files/wga-negotiations-tentative-agreement.pdf)** Based on what the writers I follow are saying, and my own, initial read of the details, it looks like a HUGE win for the writers. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/450 "2023-09-27T03:08:57Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > Based on what the writers I follow are saying, and my own, initial read of the details, it looks like a HUGE win for the writers. Better than expected for sure. The final bottom line numbers are about 50% of what the writers wanted, but about 300% greater than what the studios offered in their last round. They (WGA) did, in my VERY non-writer (i.e., ignorant) position give up quite a bit on the writer’s room section, but it’s certainly possible that enabled other things that they got that mattered more to the rank-and-file or overall health of the industry. Overall, I would definitely grade this as a win for the union and good for them! On to SAG-AFTRA! ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/451 "2023-09-27T03:25:43Z")
[![](https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/381019686_811671704292478_8218342052105146540_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=vozsyiX34-4AX9U8cHp&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDI6wnIT9JF_tUnWfoQHNteLVNeBHEq0RSYU5oRsQSIZQ&oe=6517FC85) ](https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/381019686_811671704292478_8218342052105146540_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=vozsyiX34-4AX9U8cHp&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDI6wnIT9JF_tUnWfoQHNteLVNeBHEq0RSYU5oRsQSIZQ&oe=6517FC85) ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/452 "2023-09-27T03:37:02Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > The final bottom line numbers are about 50% of what the writers wanted …I mean: it was a negotiation. Start high, then end up with what you wanted in the first place. This is a very very good win for the writers. They’ve ended up with a lot of things that most of the writers didn’t think they would win. “Showrunner” being defined as a writer for the first time. Minimum staffing. Success-based residuals. Guaranteed compensation. 2-step screenwriter deals. Writers kept with a production from start-to-finish. Script fees for staff writers. Major restrictions on AI. The studios basically rolled over on everything. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/453 "2023-09-27T04:06:05Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > Minimum staffing. I’m glad they got that. The idea that this one arbitrary thing is beyond negotiation continues to make no sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/454 "2023-09-27T09:55:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’m glad they got that. The idea that this one arbitrary thing is beyond negotiation continues to make no sense to me. _Anything_ can be up for negotiation but I think it is a mistake for the studios to give up too much ground on that. (but I don’t know what specific levels were demanded v what was agreed so will reserve judgement) The one thing that does bother me is that the actors now might also end up striking a deal which means they’ll be back on the media spouting inane PR bollocks. It’s been a blissful period of silence on that front. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/455 "2023-09-28T22:58:57Z")
…here is a good video from Vera Wylde that straight-forwardly outlines how comprehensive the win was here for the WGA, and why that is probably good news for SAG-AFTRA. > **[Victory for the WGA!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z65V38YVM8%2F)** > > The full agreement can be read here: https://www.wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/summary-of-the-2023-wga-mba✔ SUPPORT ✔Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/coun... ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/456 "2023-09-29T03:01:07Z")
[![](https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/385004160_804431481728853_5153859262425582426_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=9V-iKoev0EoAX9BLllB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBz3vhsOcqkhzd7HOj1aMd_1I0WwsiOhZDNiMBxtrRqZg&oe=651BCC1E) ](https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/385004160_804431481728853_5153859262425582426_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=49d041&_nc_ohc=9V-iKoev0EoAX9BLllB&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBz3vhsOcqkhzd7HOj1aMd_1I0WwsiOhZDNiMBxtrRqZg&oe=651BCC1E) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/457 "2023-09-29T17:59:41Z")
Definitely delighted to see that this is over. From what little I know of the issues, that the writers got most of what they wanted sounds like a basic matter of fairness. And all movie hounds like me who want to see a thriving film industry should appreciate that a creative industry can only thrive in the long term if all its creative contributors are fairly compensated. I’m impressed by how quickly shows are returning. FTR, _Real Time with Bill Maher_ is back tonight, and _Last Week Tonight with John Oliver_ returns on Sunday, both after five long months. Looks like Bill is gearing up for some controversy: the interview guest tonight is Ron DeSantis, and panelists are the author, philosopher, and neuroscientist Sam Harris who’s an outspoken atheist (among other things he’s been outspoken about) and conservative journalist Mary Katharine Ham (some might say “ultra-conservative”). It’s almost like life is back to normal! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/458 "2023-10-03T19:02:11Z")
As expected, Netflix plans to raise their subscription prices. > **[Netflix plans to raise prices after actors' strike ends - WSJ](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-plans-raise-prices-actors-140758868.html)** > > Netflix is discussing raising prices in several markets globally, but will likely begin with the United States and Canada, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter. It was not immediately clear how much Netflix will raise prices by... ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/459 "2023-10-05T00:07:13Z")
Drew Barrymore fucked around and found out: The three union writers on her show will not be returning for Season 4. > **[‘Drew Barrymore Show’ head writers refuse to return for new season, despite...](https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/10/04/drew-barrymore-show-writers-refuse-return-strike-over/)** > > Though the co-head writers had all been with the show since its first season, it appears irreversible damage was done during the WGA strike. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448/460 "2023-10-05T01:40:49Z")
Now do Maher! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-guild-of-america-goes-on-strike-5-2-23-tentative-deal-9-25-23-now-accepted-10-9-23/983448.md?page=24)