Hollywood is cautiously celebrating as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) ends its historic strike after securing a landmark deal. The agreement includes better pay, residuals linked to streaming success, and, crucially, safeguards against AI-generated scripts. However, the industry isn’t fully back to work just yet, as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) remains on strike, demanding similar terms.
The WGA strike, which lasted 148 days, was one of the longest in Hollywood history. Writers argued that streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ had upended traditional compensation models, with many writers earning less despite the industry’s growing profits. The deal represents a major victory, particularly the provisions around AI, which ensure writers cannot be replaced by algorithms.
What about actors? SAG-AFTRA is still negotiating. Their demands include protections against AI-generated performances and better residuals for streaming projects. Until their strike concludes, many productions remain on hold, affecting not just actors but also crews and vendors reliant on a functioning entertainment industry.
Zoom out: The dual strikes have spotlighted broader labor concerns across industries, especially regarding technology’s role in the workforce. As AI capabilities grow, more unions may seek to establish boundaries to protect workers from being rendered obsolete.
What’s next? While the writers’ deal sets a precedent, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations will likely determine how much further Hollywood unions can push for worker-friendly changes. The resolution of these strikes will shape the industry’s future in the streaming and AI era.