The screenwriters’ union and Hollywood studios reached a stunning four-year tentative deal after roughly three weeks of negotiations.The Writers Guild of America West Xn said its bargaining committee unanimously approved a tentative agreement with The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios.The alliance confirmed the deal in a statement on its website on Saturday.“We look forward to building on this progress as we continue to work towards agreements that support the long-term stability of the industry,” read the alliance’s statement.The exact terms of the agreements were not immediately announced, but are expected to include several of the writers’ priorities, such as better health plans and more protections against artificial intelligence.The union said in X that the deal protects the writers’ health plan based on earnings through 2023 and “helps address the challenges of free labor.” The contract agreement, one year longer than the usual three-year agreement, must be approved by the fraternity’s board and members before ratification.It came just weeks after the surprise deal was negotiated – a stark contrast to contentious contract negotiations three years ago when Hollywood writers staged a historic strike that partially brought the industry to a standstill.The screenwriters voted almost unanimously to accept that deal, which gave them more compensation, tenure and control over the artificial intelligence.The current contract was due to expire in May.The studios were also working on new deals with union leaders representing actors and directors, whose contracts are set to expire at the end of June.SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said in a February interview with The Associated Press that he has seen signs that the studios want to “work as partners again.” Hollywood actors also walked off the job for a month demanding a better contract in 2023.The writers’ tentative deal with the studios comes as the Writers Guild of America West faces an ongoing labor union strike that began in February.More than 100 people working in the legal, facts and residual departments went on strike over allegations of unfair labor practices, according to the Los Angeles Times.It’s unclear how, or if, the week-long strike will affect the tentative deal with the studios. The union announced last month that it was canceling its annual awards ceremony due to the workers’ strike.
