The Writers Guild of America went on strike for 148 days, forcing the studios to return to negotiations. With help from a SAG strike, writers secured major concessions around AI usage, streaming residuals, and staffing minimums. These were demands the studios had refused, but writers showed through an uncompromising strike that highlighted class differences that these were realistic goals. The victory sets a precedent for other unions to organize in the industry and demand increased protections. To defend their gains, writers will need to remain militant as the studios look for loopholes and try to roll back terms.
Increased organizing and a willingness to strike again will be crucial to protecting workers' interests when negotiations resume with SAG and in future contract fights.