Writers Guild of America Strike Might Not Go As Planned Because Of The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Crisis

The coronavirus is affecting just about everything and everyone. It is affecting work, school, businesses, families and more. It has even caused several known events to be either cancelled or pushed back. Now, we have some news regarding the Writers Guild of American strike. The virus may affect the usual happening this year.

The pandemic brought several things to a standstill and our favorite daytime dramas have halted production in an effort to save lives and not put their staff in the danger. And, it looks like the health crisis will also affect our soaps in another way as it could delay the WGA’s strike. Many Hollywood insiders believed the strike would happen when the guild’s current contract expires in May.

Writers Guild of America Strike Might Not Go As Planned Because Of The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Crisis

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Reports say the WGA was supposed to start talks this week but in an email obtained by the Los Angeles Times, it stated that due to the rules on social distancing, they could not “effectively negotiate this important three-year agreement in our usual fashion”. They also noted that they may not be able to negotiate for a new contract by the usual May 1 deadline however, members will continue to work under the current existing agreement from 2017.

It is said that before the virus came around and started to affect so many in such a major way, the networks begun their preparation for the possibility of the strike. Writers were in some months-long conflict with the agencies over packaging and other practices that were deemed harmful to the writers.

The union had previously struck in 2007 for 100 days. In their recent statement they related, “This is not a time for rash decisions or pressured outcomes. Instead we are conferring with public health authorities, financial analysts, other guilds and unions, legislators, benefit fund experts and others to gather information as the situation continues to evolve.”

The strike whether or not it happens can always positively or negatively affect out soaps. In the past the effect of the strike allowed many of our fan favorites to return to the genre. We’re hoping that whatever the decision our hardworking writing team behind the four-remaining daytime sudsers are not affected in a negative way.

This current situation follows a very exciting moment in the soap world as The Young and the Restless (writing team) won the Daytime Drama writing award earlier this year. General Hospital won for five consecutive years. Please stay tuned for updates.