The Writers Guild has just introduced new demands that could potentially prolong the already three-month strike even further. One of the demands is for the companies to agree to a health care benefit extension, which would give the striking writers more time to qualify for health coverage. Many writers are at risk of losing their coverage due to a lack of earnings during the strike.
The recent meeting held on Friday was meant to discuss terms for a possible return to the bargaining table. However, instead of bringing them closer to a deal, it seems to have pushed them even farther apart.
Under the previous contract, writers had to earn a minimum of $41,773 per year to qualify for health care coverage. With three months of lost earnings due to the strike, writers will have less time to reach that earnings threshold once the strike is over.
The demands made by the Writers Guild are significant and could have a major impact on the outcome of the strike. It remains to be seen how the companies will respond and if a resolution can be reached.
In related news, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has expressed her willingness to personally engage in resolving the strikes. She sees the recent WGA-AMPTP meeting as an encouraging development.
According to a statement released by the guild, Ellen Stutzman, the WGA’s chief negotiator, has made it clear that they not only need a comprehensive response from the AMPTP on their proposals but also need to address issues arising from the strike, including a health care benefit extension and additional funding for the guild’s Pension & Health Fund.
The WGA has previously proposed that each member of a writing team receive pension and health contributions as if they were writing as individuals, but this has been rejected by the companies. They have also proposed diverting 0.5% of any negotiated minimums increases to the P&H Fund, which was tentatively agreed upon before the strike began.
The loss of health coverage is a concern for all industry workers during strikes. The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, which cover below-the-line workers, has recently improved its eligibility requirements to help those affected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14, and its members are also facing the loss of health care coverage. However, the eligibility requirements for health and pension benefits will remain the same during the strike. Adjustments or exceptions to these requirements are unlikely due to the joint board of trustees, which is controlled by both the studios and streamers.
In addition to the health care benefit extension and additional funding, the WGA has stated that other issues arising from the strike will need to be addressed in any new deal. This includes the reinstatement of striking writers and arbitration of disputes that have arisen during the strike. The WGA also wants the right for individual members to honor other unions’ picket lines, just as other unions have honored theirs during this strike.
The demands and issues raised by the Writers Guild are complex and will require careful consideration and negotiation. It remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved and when the strike will finally come to an end.
