The writers strike, basic sum up:
Back in the old days, writers never got paid for anything that for released, only their wadge for working with what ever company they were with. They got mad and went on a strike to get 3% out of every copy of released work, and they won.
Now the movie industry it getting bigger, and what set the writers off this time is the fact that company's are getting money for things sold over the internet, and the writers see nothing of the money. The company's that employ them just say it's a little thing on the side, but the writers knew better. The internet business is going to expand like a balloon.
Not only do they want 6% pay of the internet biz, they're also wanting to notch the regular releases to 3% more each release. So they will be getting 6% of everything sold on the internet and normal releases, + their regular pay checks.
That's a lot of money, but without writers, probably the most vital part of the movie and show industry, is over. That's basically it so far.