Do the Writers Guild and Bectu support a quick resolution to the SAG-AFTRA strike?

The Writers Guild of Great Britain and broadcasting union Bectu have hailed the recent tentative agreement between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end the writers’ strike that has dragged on for nearly five months. Both organizations also called for a speedy resolution to the ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). The labor unrest in the US has had a significant impact on the UK industry.

Bectu, representing more than 30,000 workers in creative industries, welcomed the news of the WGA-AMPTP deal. The agreement was reached after resolving disagreements over artificial intelligence (AI) and writing room staffing levels. However, Bectu also urged the AMPTP to resolve the actors’ strike.

In a statement, Bectu’s chief Philippa Childs said, “It’s now critical that the AMPTP directs all its energies into resolving the dispute with our SAG-AFTRA colleagues.” Childs emphasized the impact the strikes have had on the UK creative industries and called for a swift conclusion to both strikes.

Chair of the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), Lisa Holdsworth, congratulated the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. Holdsworth expressed gratitude for the international solidarity shown by writers and unions in supporting the WGA strike, including participation in protests and social media support.

Holdsworth also acknowledged the negative impact of the strikes on the UK creative industries and expressed hopes for a speedy resolution to both strikes. She emphasized the importance of decent terms and conditions for all writers working for streaming platforms and the role of union agreements in achieving this.

The UK industry bodies are relieved by the progress made in ending the writers’ strike but are keen for a resolution to the actors’ strike as well. The impact of these strikes on the UK creative industries has been significant, and workers are eager to return to normal production. They hope that the WGA-AMPTP agreement sets a positive precedent for fair terms and conditions for all workers in the industry.