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Taking a stand. The Writers Guild of America officially authorized a strike in May 2023 \u2014 several TV shows have already been affected<\/a> as a result.<\/p>\n Writers and studios attempted to reach a new wage agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in April 2023 before the WGA contract expired. Negotiations, however, broke down as the WGA pushed for their compensation to take into account<\/a> streaming residuals, better working conditions and a limit on the use of artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n WGA members emphasized in an open letter that their focus was on \u201cfair pay that reflects the value of our contribution to company success and includes protections to ensure that writing survives as a sustainable profession.\u201d<\/p>\n A strike was confirmed after an agreement ultimately couldn\u2019t be reached with AMPTP \u2014 the organization that represents major networks such as<\/a> Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony.<\/p>\n \u201cThe companies\u2019 behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing,\u201d the letter read. \u201cFrom their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a \u2018day rate\u2019 in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership.\u201d<\/p>\n In response, AMPTP noted that they felt they offered \u201cgenerous\u201d compensation in their counteroffer<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cNegotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA concluded without an agreement today,\u201d the trade association told Variety at the time. \u201cThe AMPTP presented a comprehensive package proposal to the Guild last night which included generous increases in compensation for writers as well as improvements in streaming residuals. The AMPTP also indicated to the WGA that it is prepared to improve that offer, but was unwilling to do so because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the Guild continues to insist upon. The primary sticking points are \u2018mandatory staffing,\u2019 and \u2018duration of employment\u2019 \u2014 Guild proposals that would require a company to staff a show with a certain number of writers for a specified period of time, whether needed or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Shows such as Abbott Elementary<\/em><\/a>, Yellowjackets<\/em><\/a> and Saturday Night Live<\/em><\/a> have since hit pause on production. Writer Brittani Nichols<\/strong>, who penned episodes for the hit ABC sitcom, revealed that the strike could impact the number of episodes<\/a> in upcoming seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a show that writes while we air,\u201d Nichols told Democracy Now<\/em> in May 2023. \u201cIf this strike goes on for a significant period of time, our show will not come out on time and that could change the amount of episodes which I\u2019m sure people will be very upset about.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Yellowjackets<\/em> creator Ashley Lyle<\/strong> announced a writers room shut down<\/a> after one day back in the office. \u201cIt was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I\u2019m really excited to get back to it as soon as the WGA gets a fair deal,\u201d the screenwriter tweeted in May 2023.<\/p>\n