Improved compensation, especially in the streaming era, is a key stumbling block to reaching a new three-year agreement, Guild officials said.
The Alliance, which represents the studios, issued a statement before the voting results were even announced, saying the approval was “inevitable” and urging continued talks to avert a work stoppage. “Its inevitable ratification should come as no surprise to anyone. Our goal is, and continues to be, to reach a fair and reasonable agreement. An agreement is only possible if the Guild is committed to turning its focus to serious bargaining by engaging in full discussions of the issues with the companies and searching for reasonable compromises.”
The WGA last week issued what it calls “strike rules” in case a walkout is called. The instructions for union members essentially bar them from doing any writing for studios being struck or conducting any negotiations onThe rules also direct union members to honor all WGA picket lines, perform assigned “strike-support” duties and inform the union of any “strikebreaking activity.”