Writers on “Frontline,” “American Experience,” “NOVA” and other PBS shows have averted a strike after reaching a deal with three affiliates.
“THIRTEEN, GBH and PBS SoCal are pleased to have reached an agreement with WGA East,” the stations said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our work to deliver trusted public media to our audiences.”
The Writers Guild of America bargaining unit, which represents 94 writers, voted to authorize a strike if a new contract was not reached by midnight on Thursday. The writers were seeking increased residuals in streaming, coverage for all productions made for new media and better pay, among other terms.
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The WGA was also seeking to expand its coverage to include animated series.
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In a message to members, the WGA said that the deal includes “first-ever union protections for animation writers, paid parental leave for eligible health plan participants, AI protections, expanded union protections for made-for-new-media programs, increased residual payments for reuse on streaming services, industry-standard raises, and easier paths for members of writing teams to access health coverage.”
The contract covers PBS Kids shows like “Donkie Hodie” and “Odd Squad,” in addition to adult-oriented shows like Ken Burns specials. The guild has been bargaining with the affiliates — based in New York, Boston and Los Angeles — since late September.
“Writers Guild members at PBS would much rather end the week with a fair and equitable contract than with a strike,” said Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, president of WGA East, in a statement on Monday. “But they are also willing to do what is necessary to reach an agreement that reflects their working conditions and meets their very reasonable demands.”
The new contract replaces a deal that was reached in 2019. The PBS writers were not involved in the five-month strike against the major film and TV studios in 2023, as they do not work under that agreement.
