Hollywood is getting ever closer to a shutdown.
The unions representing thousands of television and movie writers said on Monday that they had overwhelming support for a strike
giving union leaders the right to call for a walkout when the writers’ contract with the major Hollywood studios expires on May 1
The unions, which are affiliated East and West Coast branches of the Writers Guild of America
said more than 9,000 writers had approved a strike authorization, with 98 percent of the vote.
W.G.A. leaders have said this is an “existential” moment for writers, contending that compensation has stagnated over the last decade despite the explosion of television series in the streaming era.
In an email last week to writers, the lead negotiators said that “the survival of writing as a profession is at stake in this negotiation.”
With two weeks to go before the contract expires, there has been little sign of progress in the talks.
In the email, the negotiating committee said the studios “have failed to offer meaningful responses on the core economic issues” and offered only small concessions in a few areas.
“In short, the studios have shown no sign that they intend to address the problems our members are determined to fix in this negotiation,” the email said.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of Hollywood production companies
said in a statement that a strike authorization “should come as no surprise to anyone.”
“A strike authorization vote has always been part of the W.G.A.’s plan, announced before the parties even exchanged proposals,” the statement said.
Achraf Hakimi: Ex-wife Hiba Abouk Ordered to Give Her Half Netwoth