WGA Extends Health Care Benefits Through Year’s End for Writers Facing Oct. 1 Cutoff
25.09.2023 - 22:29
/ variety.com
Cynthia Littleton Business Editor The WGA West will extend health care benefits through year’s end to members who were facing an Oct. 1 expiration of coverage because of the strike. The extension was worked out as a part of the tentative contract agreement reached Sunday with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which will bring an end the nearly five-month strike.
News about the health care coverage extension was communicated to members via messages from the guild on Monday. The news was shared in a message to members sent by Lise Anderson, WGA West assistant executive director. “Per the tentative agreemnt, WGA writers who are scheduled to lose PWGA health care coverage on 10/1/23 will be extended coverage for an additional quarter through 12/31/23.
The same extension applies to writers who will exhaust their COBRA eligibility,” Anderson wrote. The WGA West declined further comment. The guild is preparing for leadership votes on Tuesday on the final terms of the pact reached Sunday night shortly after 7 p.m.
PT. Once those votes are in — assuming both are affirmative — the contract will be sent in full to WGA members for a ratification vote. The deal is expected to sail smoothly through votes by the WGA negotiating committee, the board and council of the WGA West and WGA East, respectively, and the roughly 11,000 members.
The deal was described Sunday evening as “exceptional” by the negotiating committee in its communication to members. The WGA has been on strike since May 2. The guild’s strike order against AMPTP signatories is still in effect but picketing has been paused.
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