Writers Guild of America and Studios Continue to Clash Over TV Writers’ Staff Size Proposal Amid Ongoing Strike
The months-long strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) continues as the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) remain at odds over various issues. One of the most contentious points of disagreement revolves around the WGA’s demand for a minimum staff size for TV writers’ rooms.
While the AMPTP has made concessions such as providing streaming viewership data, it has not agreed to the WGA’s key demand. Initially, the AMPTP refused to even consider the idea, but in its latest proposal, it offered showrunners the flexibility to hire a certain number of writers based on the show’s budget.
The WGA, on the other hand, insists on a fixed minimum staff size for all shows. This proposal has sparked dissent within the guild, with some showrunners expressing opposition. They argue that the demand takes authority away from showrunners and could lead to unnecessary and unproductive positions.
Showrunners believe that being forced to hire writers who are not needed could lead to “featherbedding,” a labor practice where employees are required to hire workers who do no work. They fear that this would create make-work jobs and harm the overall quality of the shows. Many showrunners argue that they should have the freedom to hire writers based on their specific needs and the creative vision of their shows.
The WGA’s proposal includes additional demands such as guaranteeing three weeks of work per episode for the writing staff and ensuring that half the staff is employed throughout production. The guild is also seeking a 20% increase in minimum compensation for writer-producers.
The debate over the TV staff size proposal is a significant hurdle to reaching an agreement between the WGA and the studios. The guild emphasizes the importance of solidarity during the strike, and some opponents of the proposal fear backlash for speaking out against it. Supporters argue that showrunners face pressure from studios to minimize costs by hiring as few writers as possible.
The WGA argues that establishing a minimum staff size is vital to protect the writers’ room from studio cost-cutting. The guild believes that there should be a standard room size that ensures adequate resources for thorough and quality writing.
Opponents of the proposal claim that the guild should focus on protecting creative rights and compensation without interfering in how showrunners run their shows. They argue that not all shows require the same number of writers, and showrunners should have the autonomy to determine their staff size based on the unique needs of each project.
The WGA acknowledges the creative achievements of solo writers and has recognized works like “The White Lotus,” “Chernobyl,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” and “Mare of Easttown.” Some showrunners argue that the current landscape of episodic series demands flexibility and a case-by-case approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
As the strike continues, writers on the picket lines express support for the idea of a mandatory minimum staff size, carrying signs that read “Room size matters.” Many writers believe that having a required number of people on staff would benefit both the quality of the shows and the job prospects of fellow writers.
With no resolution in sight, the strike is taking its toll on the industry. Writer employment surged during the streaming era but is now facing contraction as networks and studios tighten their content spending.
As negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP continue, both sides remain focused on finding a compromise that will end the strike and protect the interests of writers and the industry as a whole.