'The Strike Threat Was Very Real': Unpacking the tense 2017 Writers Guild of America negotiations
In 2017, the Writers Guild of America narrowly avoided a strike after heated negotiations over outdated pay structures and healthcare concerns, preserving the vibrancy of the television industry.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:24 PM ISTIn 2017, the Writers Guild of America narrowly avoided a strike after heated negotiations over outdated pay structures and healthcare concerns, preserving the vibrancy of the television industry.
It was a high-stakes game in the spring of 2017 when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) were locked in negotiations that could have brought the television industry to a screeching halt. The writers were ready to put down their pencils, as reported by Variety, but a strike was averted at the last moment, paving the way for industry transformation. "The strike threat was very real," they reported, reminding us of the palpable tension that was present throughout the negotiations.
Countdown to the Deadline
As the clock ticked towards the midnight deadline on May 1, 2017, both parties sat around the conference room at the AMPTP headquarters, scrambling for an agreement. Only 90 minutes before the expiration, there was still no certainty of an outcome. However, negotiations eventually bore fruit, as both parties found a middle ground on vital issues. The impending strike was averted, saving the industry from potential catastrophe.
Pay Cuts and Healthcare: The Crux of the Conflict
Two key issues stood at the heart of the negotiations: outdated compensation formulas for writers working on short-order TV series and the dire need to bolster the guild’s health insurance plan. The intensity of these concerns was significant enough to prompt a staggering 96% approval from WGA members for a strike authorization vote. "Our members were taking a 25%-50% pay cut on their episodic fee," revealed David Young, executive director of the WGA West.
Breaking the Impasse
A breakthrough moment arrived when CBS chief Leslie Moonves and Warner Bros. boss Kevin Tsujihara met with four members of the WGA negotiating committee. Showrunner Meredith Stiehm highlighted the pay discrepancy, noting how she was making half as much working on 12 episodes of "Homeland" compared to her past work on 22 episodes of "Cold Case."
The WGA also addressed the deficit in its health insurance problem by proposing painful cuts in benefits, hoping to secure a $30 million influx from the AMPTP.
The Aftermath
Ultimately, this showdown was averted, thanks to a combination of strong relationships, compromise, and a shared determination to avoid a strike.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)