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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Writers Guild is taking its first step toward a potential industry strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The union has set a strike authorization vote, with polls opening April 11, the guild announced to members on Monday. While a strike authorization vote does not ensure a writers\u2019 strike will occur, it does gauge members\u2019 willingness to cease work if the union deems a strike necessary. If a large portion of members supports a potential strike, that could improve writers\u2019 leverage in their ongoing talks with the studios and streamers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which bargains on behalf of studios, for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A strike could only begin after the writers\u2019 contract with the studios and streamers expires on May 1. The WGA<\/a> has struck six times in its history and is generally considered the industry union that is most willing to walk in negotiations with employers. As such, rumors have been swirling in the industry for months that, due to the major changes that writers are seeking to implement this year, they will strike this spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an interview prior to negotiations, chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman responded to the widespread speculation, saying, \u201cWe\u2019re going go into negotiations with the goal of making a deal, and it\u2019s got to be a deal that addresses writer issues.\u201d She added, \u201cThis is a union that\u2019s willing to take action when necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The writers\u2019 last strike occurred in 2007-2008 amid a heated battle with studios over \u201cnew media\u201d (which then meant distribution over the Internet, iPods and clel phones). Lasting 100 days<\/a>, the work stoppage cost the California economy an estimated $2.1 billion, according to the Milken Institute, and took a toll<\/a> on writers\u2019 compensation, overall deals and industry relationships. At the same time, many writers believe it was a crucial battle that gave WGA members an early foothold in \u201cnew media\u201d platforms, which, later, contractually came to include streaming video on demand (SVOD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n