Why could a potential Hollywood writers’ strike happen in 2023?

Writers in Hollywood are gearing up for the potential for a strike to take place beginning May 1, and while the idea of a walkout from the minds that craft and create our entertainment realm sounds intimidating, it’s something that’s been a work in progress for longer than you might imagine.

With an ever-evolving realm of entertainment, streaming services, and changing interests in both movie and film, writers are constantly adapting to what works now and sitting with the idea in their heads that things can change at any minute. Being of a creative mind is something that can be a blessing at the same time that it’s a struggle, and sometimes passion projects must become dream ideas for the sake of working on what’s “now.”

Of course, when things and writers must change and adapt — it would make sense for everything from pay to working conditions to adjust too. With talks of negotiations and a potential walkout on the table, it’s evident that writers’ needs aren’t being met, and in preparing for a walkout, they’re able to take a stand and ask for everything they need to continue thriving and producing the kind of content that keeps us all coming back for more.

So why exactly are writers in Hollywood anticipating a strike? What implications would that have on the media realm as a whole, and what are creatives hoping will change in talks leading up to the end of current contracts? As usual, we’ve got you covered.

Why is there talk of a writers’ strike?

Why exactly are there talks of a walkout or strike in the first place? Writers in Hollywood believe that current compensation for their work isn’t equivalent to what they bring to the table, and they’re asking for higher contributions for health and pension alongside better standards in the workplace.

Over 11,000 film and television writers being represented by unions alongside the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have started the process of conversation regarding a new contract, as the current agreement expires within 60 days. The Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television is responsible for negotiations for nine of the most prominent studios, including Amazon, Walt Disney Studios, and Paramount Pictures.

It’s easy to assume that with more streaming services than ever, it might be a bustling time for writers, but that’s only half true. It is an exciting time to be a writer, and there’s a market for hit new series and film projects, but there are shorter seasons in streaming television than network, and the idea of residual fees no longer comes into play when we’re talking about shows on streaming networks.

Writers are expected to turn out high-quality content at a higher speed than before, and it doesn’t appear that they’re being fully compensated, appreciated, or working in favorable environments that nurture a fast-paced/updated writing style. An entertainment lawyer was speaking to the Financial Times, sharing a comparison that makes a lot of sense.

“It’s like seeing a bunch of Ubers on the road and thinking it’s a good time to be a taxi driver. Being a working writer is much harder than it used to be. The level of compensation, the treatment and expectations are all fundamentally different than they were.”

Adapting to an ever-evolving entertainment industry is hard, but it doesn’t mean the task has to be made more difficult by companies unwilling to provide their writers with the necessary means for survival and a productive work/life balance.

A strike by writers isn’t unheard of; the last time a walkout happened, it lasted for 100 days, spanning from the end of 2007 to early 2008. Before that, the NYT reports that a 1988 strike continued for five months before satisfactory terms were agreed upon and working conditions felt appropriate for writers.

When do current contracts expire?

With a deadline looming, it’s unsurprising that talks of a writers’ strike are growing more intense; current contracts expire on May 1, and if an agreement can’t be reached, it would be the first time in 15 years that the writers walk out. Of course, there are still a few weeks where negotiations can take place, but there are moving pieces of the puzzle that have to start getting into place now.

The New York Times shared the following quote from Chris Keyser, co-chair of the W.G.A. negotiating committee, regarding the contract negotiations and why changes must be made to create favorable conditions for writers.

“The industry is almost always unfair to labor. This time it’s broken — it’s actually broken.”

Of course, going on strike isn’t a simple decision for anyone, and first, a vote must be taken to aid the decision moving forward. The W.G.A. must authorize a walkout that requires voting; that process could begin sometime in the first week of April, as reported by the NYT. If a strike is voted upon, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one is imminent; there are still weeks for the parties to agree upon a set of terms that works for them, eliminating the need for a walkout altogether.

CNN Business shares that the guild told members the first round of conversations should last nearly two weeks, and they’ll then take a break before sharing with members what changes they’re willing to make; from there, they hope to work towards a new venture together before the May 1 cutoff, and avoid a strike completely.

What does a strike mean for entertainment?

For different avenues of entertainment, a strike would produce different results. Talk shows and other series that film on more of a week-to-week basis, these series would be impacted the most, of course. Some reality television shows will be given longer runs, adding more episodes to seasons airing or beginning to air, while others will stop their processes altogether, with some actors and actresses even supporting writers in the walkout movement. In the 2007-2008 strike, shows like According to Jim saw some of the talent stand with writers, while series like the Late Show with David Letterman worked out their negotiations, bringing a writing staff back to their show with better conditions.

It’s yet to be seen what will be impacted if a walkout happens in the coming weeks, but there are several big-name series set to return later this year that could be affected if a strike goes ahead. Of course, we stand with writers, and having a pause in entertainment production is nothing to ensuring they’re paid what they deserve, including appropriate working environments.

We Got This Covered will update you as soon as we learn more.