The Writers Guild of America (WGA) Basic Agreement 2020 is a collective bargaining agreement that governs the terms and conditions of employment for writers in the television and film industries. The agreement is negotiated every three years between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the major studios and networks.
One of the main goals of the WGA in negotiating this agreement is to secure fair compensation and working conditions for its members. The 2020 Basic Agreement includes several important provisions that address these issues.
Perhaps the most significant change in the 2020 agreement is the inclusion of a new formula for calculating residuals for writers in the streaming era. Under the previous system, writers received a fixed residual payment each time their work was streamed on a platform like Netflix or Hulu. However, this system failed to adequately compensate writers for the increasingly popular practice of binge-watching, where viewers consume an entire season of content in one sitting.
The new formula for residuals takes into account not only how many times a show is streamed, but also how long each viewing session lasts. This means that writers will be compensated more fairly for their work, regardless of how viewers choose to consume it.
Another major provision in the 2020 agreement is an increase in minimum compensation for TV writers. The minimum salary for a TV staff writer has been raised from $40,408 per year to $48,692, while the minimum for executive producers has been raised from $143,486 to $175,075. These increases are designed to ensure that even entry-level writers are able to earn a living wage.
The 2020 Basic Agreement also includes provisions related to diversity and inclusion. The WGA has long been committed to promoting diversity in the entertainment industry, and the new agreement includes provisions designed to increase the representation of underrepresented groups both in front of and behind the camera.
For example, the agreement requires that studios and networks include a diverse slate of candidates when filling writing staff positions. It also includes provisions aimed at increasing opportunities for writers from underrepresented groups to sell their work to studios and networks.
In addition, the agreement includes provisions related to health and safety. These provisions are especially important in the age of COVID-19, as they require employers to take steps to protect writers and other workers from the virus.
Overall, the 2020 WGA Basic Agreement represents a significant victory for writers in the entertainment industry. By securing fair compensation and working conditions, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring health and safety, the agreement helps to ensure that writers are able to continue creating the content that we all love.