The Writers Guild of America has set a strike authorization vote to begin on April 11.
While this marks the first step toward a potential writers strike, with this process requiring a certain amount of notification for members and time to take the vote, a work stoppage would not actually be able to begin until the current contract expires May 1. The WGA began contract talks with Hollywoods largest employers on March 20.
The sides were expected to take a two-week break starting today, but industry sources say there is likely to be some communication this week between guild negotiatators and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The WGA had been expected to call for a strike authorization vote, which is a necessary layer of approval from members before guild leaders can all for a widespread strike. According to the guilds charter, members need a certain amount of notice that a strike authorization vote is to be called. Online voting will be open to eligible WGA members from 8:30 p.m. PT on April 11 through noon PT on April 17.
The studios need to respond to the crisis writers face, WGA West wrote in a statement tweeted Monday. WGA members must demonstrate our willingness to fight for the contract writers need and deserve by supporting a strike authorization vote. The effect of a yes vote is to authorize the WGA leadership to call for a strike after May 1st if the companies are unwilling to meet our reasonable and fair demands. Over the past decade, the companies embraced business practices that slashed our compensation and undermined our working conditions. We are asking to restore writer pay conditions to reflect our value to this industry. The survival of our profession is at stake.
WGA added a callout to members encouraging them to find further important details regarding the vote in their email inboxes.
Time after time, this Guild has shown that it is unafraid to fight for what it deserves. Now, that time has come again, the guild stated in its email message to members.
The guilds strike authorization vote message to members included a video clip featuring negotiating committee member Luvh Rakhe outlining the authorization vote process for members.
Representatives for WGA and AMPTPdid not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.