'Sesame Street' writers reach tentative contract deal, averting strike

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-04-19/sesame-street-writers-strike-sesame-workshop

By Christi CarrasStaff Writer
April 19, 2024 5:41 PM PT

Writers Guild of America members employed by Sesame Workshop have struck a tentative contract deal with management, averting a strike after negotiations stalled over compensation and union representation for the nonprofit organization’s animation and social media staff.

The bargaining unit of 35 — which includes the “Sesame Street” writing staff — and Sesame Workshop settled on a new five-year contract Friday, the day their previous agreement expired.

The new deal includes jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and improvements to streaming residuals, according to the WGA.

“We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this new contract will positively impact writers throughout the children’s media landscape,” the bargaining unit’s negotiating team said Friday in a statement.

FULL story at link above.