LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On Monday, September 25, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract.
The temporary agreement came after the 146-day WGA strike, which began on May 2, after negotiations between the Guild and AMPTP ended in a deadlock.
"The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement. This was made possible by the enduring solidarity of WGA members and extraordinary support of our union siblings who stood with us for over 146 days," WGA wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The members of SAG-AFTRA, who are also on strike against AMPTP, immediately took to social media to congratulate the members of WGA.
In the wake of the announcement, several writers and celebrities also came together to react to the historic arrangement.
Writers rejoice over WGA's tentative agreement with AMPTP
As WGA reached a tentative deal with AMPTP, which could mark the end of one of the longest strikes in the history of Hollywood, striking writers and members of the WGA turned to social media to share their joyous reactions to the new development.
"To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America," wrote Billy Ray.
"We did it. We have a tentative deal. Over the coming days, we'll discuss and vote on it, together, as a democratic union. But today, I want to thank every single WGA member, and every fellow worker who stood with us in solidarity. You made this possible. Thank you. #WGAStrong," said writer, comedian and TV host Adam Conover.
"MAZEL TOV! Writers Strike Deal!!!" exclaimed writer, producer and actor Greg Grunberg. "WE DID IT!!! #wgastrong," added 'Sleepy Hollow' writer and co-creator Phillip Ascove.
"Congrats to the new 20-person White Lotus writers room!" tweeted 'The Simpsons' writer Matt Warburton.
WWGA Board Member and 2023 Negotiating Committee member, writer Eric Haywood, said, "This has been one of the most stressful experiences of my life but at no point was it ever not worth it. I’m proud to have played a part, however small, in this chapter of the Guild’s history."
"Thank you to the lot captains and coordinators, the support staff and pre-WGA writers. Thank you to SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters, IATSE, AFM, LiUNA, SEIU, and all the other unions who brought their unwavering support. This is your victory, too," he continued.
"They tried to break us but we showed them we couldn’t be broken. They tried to turn us against each other and even we we disagreed privately, we held together publicly. This is a new era. We’re only gonna get stronger from here. #WGAStrong," Haywood added.
Bill Wolkoff wrote, "Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will NOT be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it! We won!"
"This is probably the happiest I've ever felt on Yom Kippur," said write Josh Gondelman.
"We got a deal. That was the hardest I’ve worked in forever. Captain signing off!" tweeted Caroline Renard.
"Hell to the yeah! Thank you to the WGA negotiating committee! Ready to get back into the dojo! #WGA #CobraKai," wrote director and writer Jon Hurwitz.
Celebrities continues to celebrate WGA x AMPTP tentative deal
Other celebrities also took to social media to celebrate WGA's tentative agreement with AMPTP.
"Being in a union, and going on strike with it, is the type of thing that’s become unfashionable in society. It means you are sacrificing for others; committing to something bigger than yourself; putting in effort because those in the past did it for you, & now it’s your turn," wrote Justine Bateman.
"It may be new terms that affect only the newest of the union’s members, or the part-timers, or the elders, and not necessarily you, specifically. But that’s not the point. “You” are not the point. ALL of you are the point. The union, the members as a whole, is the point," the post continued.
"Being in a union is one of the most fantastic opportunities in life, to have the chance to stand up for the group, for the strongest and the weakest alike. What a magnificent experience in which to participate," Bateman concluded.
"Happy news! The details will tell the tale however, this is a huge step in the right direction!" tweeted LeVar Burton.
"There’s hope at last! Praying that we can all go back to work soon, with a fair deal! #WGA #SAGAFTRAStrike," said executive producer Gale Anne Hurd.
"Congratulates to the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP after 146 days on the picket lines. @sagaftra remains committed in solidarity to achieving the necessary terms for our members when its our time back at the table," mentioned Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Comedian and actress Robin Thede wrote, "THANK YOU TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE WGA AND OUR NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE! I will still be on the picket line with my fellow SAG-AFTRA members to carry this over the finish line but tonight we celebrate! #WGAStrong".
"Yes!!!! It’s been a tough five months (!) but we finally have a deal!!!" added Kumail Nanjiani.
"TENTATIVE AGREEMENT B****ES! CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK TO WORK AND SEE MY PEOPLE!!!" wrote Mindy Kaling in an Instagram post alongside a meme from 'The Office'
California Governor Gavin Newsom also released a statement, saying, "California’s entertainment industry would not be what is today without our world class writers. For over 100 days, 11,000 writers went on strike over existential threats to their careers and livelihoods — expressing real concerns over the stress and anxiety workers are feeling."
"I am grateful that the two sides have come together to reach an agreement that benefits all parties involved, and can put a major piece of California’s economy back to work," he added as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Writers are yet to get back to work despite WGA's AMPTP deal
Although WGA's tentative deal with AMPTP could mark the beginning of the end of the 146-day strike, writers are yet to go back to work.
""We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership," the WGA’s negotiating committee wrote in an email sent to members, Variety reported.
However, "To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then," the statement reportedly read.
While the Guild reportedly asked writers to stay off work "until specifically authorized to by the Guild," and mentioned, "We are still on strike until then," they also clarified, "We are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing."
