![]() “We are fighting for writers’ economic survival and stability of our profession.” “This is not an ordinary negotiating cycle,” said Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, a member of the union’s negotiating team, in a video message to members a month ago. “On TV staffs, more writers are working at minimum regardless of experience, often for fewer weeks ….While series budgets have soared over the past decade, median writer-producer pay has fallen.” “The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay … worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels,” said a statement from the union. But the writers, many of whom can’t support themselves with writing alone, are suffering from reduced job opportunities and the loss of some sources of income due to an industry shift from traditional broadcast and cable programming to streaming services. Many of the media and tech companies producing shows that use the writers have seen drops in their stock price, prompting deep cost cutting, including layoffs. ![]() The talks come at a time both sides are feeling pain. ![]() With less than a day left before the deadline, the two sides appear far apart. Last month, members of the Writers Guild of America voted 98% in favor of going on strike if no new deal is reached before their current contract expires at 11:59 pm PDT Monday. The clock is ticking toward a costly strike that could shut down production on most television shows, pushing back the return of many programs now set for the fall. ![]()
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