All articles tagged with #wga
Paramount asks a federal court to require a $1.88 billion bond to cover what it says would be the extraordinary losses and litigation costs in the Warner Bros Discovery merger antitrust trial; California and New York AGs along with 10 blue-state AGs and the Writers Guild of America oppose the bid, arguing the court should deny it (or impose only a nominal bond). A September 24 hearing is set on the motion.
The Writers Guild of America condemned Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for backing a settlement in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger lawsuit, arguing she joined a Democratic pressure campaign that would force a “false choice”—jobs today versus potential layoffs tomorrow. Bass says the goal is to keep Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery in L.A. with enforceable commitments to protect workers and productions, while Paramount and others push for a negotiated outcome amid a ticking-fee penalty and an upcoming March trial date. California AG Rob Bonta and a coalition of states have been pursuing antitrust action, with thousands of LA-area jobs at stake as executives weigh whether to stay in L.A. or relocate.
The Writers Guild of America condemned David Ellison’s threat to pull Paramount out of California over the antitrust suit connected to the Paramount-WBD merger, saying the move underscores the studio’s outsized power and argues the deal should be blocked. Ellison warned of leaving on Oct. 1 to avoid a $7 million-per-day ticking fee, while California AG Rob Bonta labeled the threat blackmail as the WGA pursues its own merger lawsuit with a federal trial set for March 2027.
SAG-AFTRA's national board adopted a resolution opposing Paramount Skydance's planned Warner Bros. Discovery merger unless enforceable safeguards — including production guarantees and more US-based work — are added, but the union did not join the WGA’s antitrust lawsuit, instead signaling support for the suits while focusing on the economic impact on its members.
A federal judge extended the 14-day restraining order blocking the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, delaying any close to at least Aug. 18. A preliminary injunction hearing is set for Aug. 3, with Paramount seeking more time to present its case. The WGA and a coalition of state attorneys general have challenged the deal on antitrust and content concerns, and the judge signaled the injunction schedule could determine whether the deal proceeds, potentially requiring a longer evidentiary process in late August.
The Writers Guild of America West and East filed a federal antitrust lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would violate antitrust law and harm writers by reducing competition in three markets—top-grossing films, episodic television/streaming series, and overall deals—thereby lowering pay and limiting opportunities; 12 Democratic state attorneys general filed a separate antitrust suit the day before, while Paramount defended the merger as expanding opportunities for writers and preserving competition.
The Writers Guild of America East and West filed a joint antitrust lawsuit in the Northern District of California to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing the deal would reduce opportunities for writers, lower wages, and worsen working conditions by reducing competition. The action follows a related move by 12 state attorneys general to halt the deal; Paramount says the market should be viewed broadly to include tech giants and disputes the antitrust basis, while the WGA emphasizes labor impacts of the proposed sale.
Hollywood veterans are moonlighting in AI training via RLHF to help improve generative models as traditional film/TV jobs shrink, with pay for specialists ranging from tens to over a hundred dollars an hour; unions are split on the issue, concerns about displacement and working conditions persist, but some see it as a way to survive and influence how AI is trained in entertainment.
SAG-AFTRA has struck a tentative four-year deal with the major studios’ AMPTP for a successor contract covering film, scripted primetime drama, streaming content and new media, extending the term by one year in exchange for longer labor peace; terms will be reviewed by the union’s board before a member vote. The pact follows the Writers Guild of America’s tentative agreement and includes protections around AI and digital replicas and other streaming-related issues, with the board expected to review details in the coming days and the Directors Guild of America set to begin negotiations soon.
Deadline reports SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP have reached a tentative four-year contract covering motion pictures, scripted primetime drama, streaming and new media, including AI guardrails and a pension fund boost; the deal heads to SAG-AFTRA’s national board for review before a membership vote by about 160,000 actors, with details held until the board review. Negotiations began Feb. 9, paused for the WGA deal, then resumed and concluded May 2; the DGA is up next in line.
The Writers Guild of America ratified a four-year contract with major studios, agreeing to significant cuts in the writers’ health plan—including higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums—and a rollback of the extended coverage points system. The health fund is being stabilized with about $321 million in contributions over four years. The deal preserves most staffing rules and increases in residuals, with AI talks continuing; SAG-AFTRA negotiations are expected to follow.
Writers Guild of America members approved a four-year contract with the AMPTP by 90.38% amid a turnout lower than 2023. The deal includes a $321 million infusion to restore the Writers Guild Health Fund’s solvency, employer-contribution boosts, and gains in wages and residuals, plus limited AI safeguards, in exchange for some health-policy rollbacks and a longer term than the guild initially preferred. With SAG-AFTRA and the DGA still negotiating, and WGA staff continuing their strike, the industry remains in a charged negotiating climate.
Deadline reports that after board approvals, the WGA revealed a tentative deal with studios and streamers. Key elements include a record $321 million infusion to shore up the union health plan’s solvency, a four-year minimum basic agreement (instead of five), increased employer contributions with 2027 health-plan changes to keep costs manageable, higher streaming residuals including a 75% base for top shows, and ongoing negotiations on AI use. The deal awaits ratification by members in a vote running April 16–24, while WGA West staff remain on strike and some members scrutinize concessions.
The Writers Guild of America West announced a four-year tentative contract with studios and streamers that includes a $321 million infusion into the union’s health plan, higher residuals and an AI‑licensing framework; minimum payments rise 10.5% over the four years, and the deal shifts $25 million from the Paid Parental Leave fund to the health fund. Health-plan contributions will climb to 16.75% of reported earnings, and starting in 2027 active members face premiums around $75/month with higher deductibles and out‑of‑pocket costs, alongside adjusted coverage. The agreement also establishes an AI-notice requirement for licensing scripts to train generative AI, though writers did not secure direct AI training compensation. The WGA West board and WGA East council approved the deal and members will vote on ratification April 16–24.
The Writers Guild of America struck a four-year agreement with AMPTP that injects $321 million into the health fund to shore up coverage amid rising costs, boosts streaming residuals (with a higher 75% “success bonus” for top shows), raises minimum rates, and adds an AI-usage framework while preserving most staffing terms; writers will face higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, a reform of extended coverage, a new Centivo option, and a higher earnings threshold for coverage, with ratification votes running April 16–24.