Governor Kathy Hochul Remarks on Tentative Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) and AMPTP Agreement
The two sides still need to work out the language of the final contract, and the approval of WGA’s leadership and its11,500 members. The strike began May 2nd, increased royalties, staffing in writing rooms and protection from the increased use of artificial Intelligence. Analyst have said the voting should take a week to complete and perhaps an end to the strike. In the meantime, Gov. Hochul is optimistic. “I am pleased to see that the WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement to end the writers’ strike. For months, negotiations brought the film industry to a halt, impacting hundreds of small businesses, film projects and thousands of workers all across New York State. As the talks progressed, I was proud to stand with workers on the picket line and meet last week with MPA studio executives to urge them to reach a timely agreement. New York’s film industry is the backbone of our economy, creating more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs each year and generating at least $35 billion in investment over the past decade, and as the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, I hope that all of the parties can move quickly toward final agreements that get New Yorkers and businesses back to work.”
