Hollywood directors ratify labour pact as writers keep picketing
The HinduFilm and television directors voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year labour contract with major Hollywood studios on Friday, averting a second work stoppage that would have added to upheaval caused by an ongoing writers' strike. The Directors Guild of America said 87% of those voting supported the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a group that represents Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc and other major studios. In the new labour pact, members secured base wage increases starting at 5% the first year, an increase in residual payments from streaming, and a guarantee that generative artificial intelligence "cannot replace the duties performed by members." The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May 2, shutting down several TV and film projects such as a new season of Stranger Things and a Game of Thrones spinoff.