WGA confirms three-year AMPTP deal

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has ratified the three-year agreement it struck earlier this month with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The deal, which covers film and TV, was approved by 99.2% of the 3,600 WGA members who voted, ensuring costly strike action will be averted.

The WGA previously said the agreement would “net” its members around US$130m over the life of the contract, which includes better compensation for writers working on shows with fewer episodes and improvements to its healthcare plan.

The dispute between the WGA and AMPTP, which represents the entertainment industry, had lasted for months and saw the writers’ union vote for strike action.

However, the two parties struck an 11th-hour agreement that will remain in place until May 1, 2020. Shows such as The Big Bang Theory, The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live were among series that could have been affected.

WGA presidents Howard Rodman and Michael Winship said in a statement that the union had “achieved new and significant gains that will help today’s writers even as they benefit the next generation.”

They added: “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 authorisation and ratification votes.”