Members of the Writers Guild of America have overwhelmingly approved a list of demands the union plans to present to Hollywood studios later this month.
The union is contractually obligated to make a statement outlining objectives for its upcoming contract negotiations with studios. The union said in a message to members on Tuesday that 98.4% voted in favor of the proposed demands, out of 5,643 members who cast votes. Only 1.6% voted no.
The margin of approval and voter participation have increased from the last round in 2020, when 3,336 members voted. At that time, almost 91% supported the union’s so-called pattern of demands.
This year, the union is asking studios to improve streaming compensation and residual payments. The gulf between creators and producers in Hollywood over payment in streaming has led some to predict the first writers’ strike since 2007.
The demands also include measures to curb studio abuse of the use of so-called mini-rooms – small groups of writers worked out a series before it was produced. This phenomenon has depressed writers’ wages, the union said.
The union will begin talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on March 20, before the contract expires on May 1.
