As of Wednesday last week, striking writers in Hollywood were given permission to return to work by the Writers Guild of America.
Several movie and television productions have been left in a state of limbo over the last few months after the strike by the WGA was announced in May. Not long after, they were joined by members of the Screen Actors Guild, who also went on strike.
The writers and actors share similar concerns with current contracts, as the previous agreement did not allow them to be eligible for residual payments from streaming services, while both groups were concerned about the emergence of Artificial Intelligence tools being used in the industry.
Recently was the first time that both actors and writers had been on strike at the same time since the 1960s. Actors alone went on strike in the 1980s and that temporary shutdown on productions in Hollywood lasted three months.
This week, the WGA announced a new deal that features a 5% pay rise across the board as well as guaranteed residual payments and protection against AI.
As for actors, they will recommence negotiations this weekend, as confirmed by a statement to its members:
"To our fellow SAG-AFTRA Members: We have concluded today's bargaining with the AMPTP and will resume talks on Friday, October 6.
"The parties will be working internally over the weekend, resuming Monday, October 9. Please continue to come out to picket lines or other strike activities in your local. One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes."
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