Writers Guild Members Ratify New Contract

New York and Los Angeles – The members of Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) have ratified a new, three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The WGA membership overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratifying the contract by 98%. Of the 4,155 valid votes cast there were 4,068 “yes” votes and 87 “no” votes (2%). The term of the agreement is from May 2, 2020 through May 1, 2023.

“This year we faced a unique situation in negotiations because of COVID-19, but despite the challenges posed by the pandemic we achieved gains in a deal that will serve writers’ interests for the next three years,” said WGAE President Beau Willimon and WGAW President David A. Goodman in a joint statement. “We could not have achieved that without a determined negotiating committee, committed member volunteers, and our professional WGA staff. We thank all writers who contributed to the process and participated in the ratification vote.”

Gains made in the contract include: needed funding for the WGA Pension Plan; increases to writers’ minimum compensation rates; increased residuals and lowered budget breaks for High Budget Subscription Video on Demand (HBSVOD); a first-ever Portable Paid Parenting Benefit Fund; eliminating “new writer” discounts for screen and television writers and the writers’ training program that disproportionately impacted writers in under-represented groups; improved options, exclusivity and span protections; a higher script publication fee; and strengthening the right to meet with employers about their inclusion and equity programs and anti-harassment measures

The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, new media, and broadcast news.  The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit www.wgaeast.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, West, visit www.wga.org. 

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