Late Monday night, the union's leaders decided its members will start picketing Tuesday afternoon. The decision comes as negotiations between the union writers andPrior to Monday night's development, WGA members voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a strike if labor negotiations broke down. According to the Writers Guild of America, 97.8% of members who cast ballots supported the strike-authorization vote.
"A strike authorization vote has always been part of the WGA's plan, announced before the parties even exchanged proposals," according to the AMPTP prior to Monday's announcement. "Its inevitable ratification should come as no surprise to anyone. Our goal is, and continues to be, to reach a fair and reasonable agreement.
Various estimates from different organizations estimated that the 100-day strike cost the local economy between $2 billion and $3 billion.