The WGA West has reached a $3 million settlement with CBS Studios following an arbitration battle over what WGAW said were payments owed to 24 writers under the terms of the guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement.
WGAW called the settlement “precedent-setting.” The guild has filed claims on behalf of writers for CBS Studios’ drama series “MacGyver,” “SEAL Team” and “Hawaii 5-0.” The guild alleged that CBS Studios violated MBA rules by declaring that writers’ rooms were closed for a break between seasons, but in fact writers were still pressured to deliver scripts and other material during the downtime.
“Guild members who provided writing services for these series were required to continue working even though the studio declared the rooms closed and stopped paying weekly compensation and benefits contributions to the affected writers,” the WGA West said in a message to members .
CBS Studios declined to comment on the resolution. Complaints about TV and film writers being pressured to do extra work without compensation were a widespread problem during the WGA’s 148-day strike last year.
“If there are reports of writers and showrunners experiencing these types of unacceptable practices by their employers, WGAW will and will continue to pursue enforcement on behalf of our members and ensure that the studios comply with the MBA,” the guild said in a statement. .
WGAW’s settlement netted $3.05 million for the two dozen CBS writers. “This amount included all due contributions to weekly wages, pension, healthcare and parental leave, as well as more than $1 million in interest. This is a precedent-setting settlement that will help other writers confronted with this unacceptable practice,” WGAW said in its message to members.
It is understood that CBS Studios’ position in this matter was that the practice of asking for additional work after the writers’ rooms closed in March or April happened to select showrunners in limited situations, unbeknownst to studio or network executives. WGAW’s message made it clear that the guild is addressing such practices.
In 2022, WGAW’s legal department collected $79 million in unpaid compensation and benefits for guild members. That number included $4.9 million in initial compensation for writers plus more than $1 million in late payment interest. Most of the coin owed to the writers came from $68.8 million in remaining compensation plus $2.4 million in interest.
Last year, the guild’s legal department collected $6.6 million, including $2.2 million in initial compensation and $2.8 million in residuals. Year to date, the total is $14.3 million, with the majority coming from initial compensation ($7.1 million), plus $2.1 million in interest.