Sesame Workshop Writers Establish New Contract and Avoid Strike

Sesame Workshop writers reached a five-year deal with the production company behind “Sesame Street,” eliminating the possibility of picket lines popping up in the show’s friendly neighborhood.

The Writers Guild of America confirmed the deal late Friday. The group of 35 writers employed by the nonprofit voted unanimously in favor of a strike vote last week.

“We are so proud to work for an organization that values ​​its writers, and we believe this new contract will have a positive impact on writers in the children’s media landscape. ‘S’ really stands for solidarity. We are pleased to have a contract that allows Sesame to do what it does best: lead,” the WGA’s Sesame Workshop Negotiating Committee said in a statement.

The union sought to ensure that writing for the show’s animated segments and social media content would fall below minimum rates. According to the guild, the deal includes those provisions. The deal also includes paid parental leave benefits, artificial intelligence features and improved streaming residuals.

The contract was set to expire on Friday and writers would begin picketing next week if an agreement was not reached.

Sesame Workshop touted what it described as an “industry benchmark” of a deal.

“We value our writers and their important contributions to the creative process, which are integral to our ability to achieve our nonprofit mission,” a Sesame Workshop spokeswoman said. “This agreement is a testament to our commitment to our creative talent, and we appreciate the WGA’s partnership in working with us to establish this new industry benchmark.”

Sesame Workshop is based in New York, but writers for the company are represented by both WGA West and WGA East. “Sesame Street” airs on the streamer Max and on PBS.

“Sesame Workshop writers have won a new agreement that recognizes the value of the incredible work they do to educate and enlighten children around the world. This contract could not have been concluded without the solidarity and determination demonstrated by the entire bargaining unit during the negotiations. Employees win when they work together,” said Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, president of the WGA East.