For the first time in 15 years, Hollywood’s writers are on strike. More than 11,000 television and film screenwriters from the Writers Guild of America walked off the job Tuesday, bringing productions to a halt. The work stoppage comes after negotiations stalled Monday night with the labor group representing studios and streaming services. It also comes as many of those companies have seen their stock prices decline, resulting in cost cutting and layoffs.
The Writers Guild says studios have created a “gig economy” inside a union workforce. Union members are fighting for higher minimum pay and guaranteed lengths of employment. The strike could force an early end to some shows’ seasons and delay the start of new ones later this year.
