It’s important to note that the final agreement is pending ratification by the more than 11,000 members of the WGA. Until the agreement receives formal approval, the strike is not officially over.
The WGA made it clear, “No one is to return to work until specifically authorized by the Guild. We are still on strike until then.”
However, they did announce the suspension of WGA picketing, urging members to stand in solidarity with the actors’ strike instead.
The strike had economic effects
The impact of the strikes on Hollywood and the broader economy has been substantial. Economists estimate that the nationwide economic repercussions have exceeded $5 billion, affecting industries ranging from restaurants to service firms and prop shops. These ripple effects have led to staffing cuts in various sectors.
In New York alone, the disruption caused by 11 major production halts resulted in a loss of $1.3 billion and 17,000 jobs, according to Empire State Development.
The WGA is exploring the possibility of authorizing its members to return to work even before the formal ratification of the agreement by the union’s members. This could potentially mean a rapid resumption of work for writers.
