The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike to show their dismay over the meager compensation offered to writers in Hollywood.
The WGA represents writers in various types of media: film, television, radio, and other online media.
These writers have committed to stop working until they can reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The entertainment industry has seen significant changes in demand for movie and television production, especially since the popularization of streaming services.
Media companies have invested billions into production to meet the demand. However, the writers have said that their compensation has stagnated, even when their work is the basis of content.
The WGA had proposed a system that would gain writers $429 million per year, while the AMPTP’s counter-proposal would give writers only $86 million annually.
The WGA has noted that industry profits have increased from $5 billion in 2000 to $28-$30 billion from 2017 to 2021.
The strike started on May 2 and is still ongoing. The WGA has vowed to "stay on strike for as long as it takes," reported the New York Times.
Several shows and movies were put to a halt by the strike, including Netflix’s Stranger Things and Marvel’s Blade.
Chris Keyser, a chair of the WGA negotiating committee, explains, "They’re going to stay out until something changes because they can’t afford not to."
Sources: The New York Times, Vox
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