WGA Ratifies New Three-Year Contract

The members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have ratified a new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The WGA membership overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratification. Of the 3,647 valid votes cast there were 3,617 “yes” votes (99.2 percent) and 30 “no” votes (0.8 percent). There were 9,441 eligible voters. The term of the agreement is from May 2, 2017, through May 1, 2020. The contract includes safeguarding the solvency of the Guild’s Health Plan, a new formula for increasing compensation for writers on short seasons, expansion of the limitations on options and exclusivity, increased residuals for made-for-pay-TV programs and programs made for high budget subscription video on demand and, for the first time ever in a WGA contract, a provision guaranteeing parental leave.

“Our success in these negotiations was due to a highly engaged and dedicated membership, working in tandem with a tireless and informed Negotiating Committee and an extraordinary Guild staff. We achieved new and significant gains that will help today’s writers even as they benefit the next generation,” said WGA West President Howard A. Rodman and WGA East President Michael Winship. “Our thanks go out to all of those who contributed to the process and to the thousands of our fellow writers who participated in the strike authorization and ratification votes.”