Sesame Street writers voted unanimously to go on strike if an agreement was not reached after two months of negotiations over wages and union coverage.
A group of writers from Sesame Workshop, the producer of the hit children’s television series, began negotiations on February 13 before their contract expired on April 19.
Picketing will begin outside the New York offices next week if a “new, fair collective agreement” is not reached in time, they said.
Sesame Workshop said it hoped a deal would be reached before then, according to US media reports.
The writers – members of the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) – are seeking industry-standard annual raises, residual enhancements (payments when work is reused ) and union coverage for the animation and animation of the organization. social media segments.
Sesame Workshop is a global nonprofit organization that produces Sesame Street, as well as other children’s television shows such as Helpsters and The Not-Too-Late Show With Elmo.
If it comes to fruition, the writers’ walkout would follow months-long strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the American actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, that paralyzed Hollywood in 2023.
“Millions of parents will ask questions”
WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said, “No one wants to see a picket line on Sesame Street.
“Millions of parents and families around the world will have many questions.”
Earlier this year, Fan-favorite character Elmo delivered a message to fans after being inundated with people saying they were struggling to live – even US President Joe Biden joined the conversation. During the pandemic, the show broadcast special to help children ‘feel connected during this time of uncertainty’.
The WGA Sesame Workshop negotiating committee said its writers are “deeply committed to the work we do” and “work hard to tell stories…inspired by heart, curiosity, community, kindness, diversity, equity and inclusion.
In a statement, he added: “We are committed to working with Sesame Workshop to codify a fair contract for writers that embodies these values, and that allows the Workshop to continue to attract high-level talent capable of artfully creating stories that successfully balance entertainment, playfulness and joy with education and enrichment.
“Our demands would be extremely meaningful to affected screenwriters, particularly those in the animation industry who are currently excluded from basic benefits and protections like pensions and health care.”
The commission said it hoped for a “swift and amicable resolution” to continue helping the next generation “become smarter, stronger and kinder.”
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Sky News has contacted Sesame Workshop for comment.
In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter and Deadline in the US, a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said: “Our writers are integral members of our creative team and we are engaged in good faith negotiations with the WGA We are still hopeful that we will reach an agreement before expiration.
