Kumail Nanjiani, Robin Thede, Adam Conover and More Celebrate Tentative Writers Deal After 146 Days: ‘This Is the End’

After 146 days, the Writers Guild of America is close to heading back to work.

The WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) resumed bargaining on Wednesday and reached a tentative deal on Sunday. Final language for the parties’ contract is still being finalized. But should the WGA negotiating committee, followed by the WGA West board and the WGA East Council, give their approval, the contract will then be the subject of a vote among guild membership, where it will likely pass and end the historic strike that began on May 2.

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In an email sent to members at 7:10 p.m. PT, the WGA said, “We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”

Before the news, the strike was reaching record length — the WGA’s longest ever work stoppage lasted for 154 days in 1988. Though the current strike is still technically ongoing until the membership votes to end it, guild members naturally have cause to celebrate.

“THANK YOU TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE WGA AND OUR NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE!” posted Robin Thede, creator and star of “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I will still be on the picket line with my fellow SAG-AFTRA members to carry this over the finish line but tonight we celebrate!”

“We did it. We have a tentative deal,” said Adam Conover, a member of the WGA negotiating committee. “Over the coming days, we’ll discuss and vote on it, together, as a democratic union. But today, I want to thank every single WGA member, and every fellow worker who stood with us in solidarity. You made this possible. Thank you.”

On Monday, President Joe Biden shared a statement supporting the deal.

“I applaud the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for reaching a tentative agreement that will allow writers to return to the important work of telling the stories of our nation, our world — and of all of us. This agreement, including assurances related to artificial intelligence, did not come easily. But its formation is a testament to the power of collective bargaining. There simply is no substitute for employers and employees coming together to negotiate in good faith toward an agreement that makes a business stronger and secures the pay, benefits and dignity that workers deserve. I urge all employers to remember that all workers — including writers, actors and autoworkers — deserve a fair share of the value their labor helped create.”

“It’s been a tough five months, but we finally have a deal!” said Kumail Nanjiani, who co-wrote “The Big Sick” and co-created “Little America” and is well-known as an actor.

Justin Halpern, co-showrunner of “Abbott Elementary” and co-creator of “Harley Quinn,” posted to spread the word that writers struggling financially as a result of the strike will still have access to the WGA’s strike fund after the strike ends.

Justine Bateman, writer-director of “Violet,” posted a reminder that writers are not yet permitted to return to work, but that picketing is suspended — though writers are still encouraged to protest alongside SAG-AFTRA, as the actors union is also still on strike.

“This is the end, beautiful friends,” said “American Crime Story” co-creator Larry Karaszewski.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass also posted about the strike, noting that she was “grateful” for the agreement, which has majorly affected the city’s economy.

“Pitch Perfect” writer Kay Cannon posted a picture of the negotiating committee.

Robert King, who created “The Good Wife,” “The Good Fight” and “Evil” with his wife Michelle King, said a simple: “We have a deal.”

See more reactions below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxmXjETLe_o/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

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