Writer Labor Union “Writer’s Guild Association” has been striking after being unable to agree with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) over a TV and film contract. [Contract terms].
AMPTP comprises Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, Sony, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Disney.
Points in the terms rejected by AMPTP entirely-
Weekly pay infrastructure to be introduced
Preserving the Writer’s Room for “Episodic Television.”
Duration of employment for “Episodic Television.”
Minimum Basic Agreement weekly minimums during post-production.
Viewership-based residuals will be added to a base residual pay to reward programs with more significant viewership. Additionally, calling for networks to be transparent with writers about the program's viewership.
Ad-Supported Free Streaming Service writers for high-budget programs get TV weeklies, script fees, and improved residuals.
Each team member gets Pension & Health contributions as if they were writing individually.
AMPTP released a statement then outlining reasons for the rejections and other points of contention [AMPTP statement].
A prolonged strike can take a toll on the local economy of LA. In 2007 there was a similar strike by the WGA, which cost the economy of LA $2.5 Billion (according to Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp at the time).
Since the Entertainment industry in LA roughly generates $47 billion, a standstill in productivity could generate tough times for the other businesses in the area, as most studios in LA utilize resources in-state.
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