that's just not how show ownership works, and someone else could probably explain it better. it's on the producer/production to pay them when they filmed the show, and up to the network/studio/distributor to pay residuals. where it gets tricky is when actors/writers are also producers. if you've noticed, after season 4 or so of the office, a bunch of the actors became producers - their deals were structured that way and they get to share in the profits.
so the owners/producers of suits got whatever they got from the netflix deal (which prob wasn't a huge deal considering how much it's being watched right now). and while it's blowing up, all the writers and actors (non-producers) don't get shit, but would if any broadcast network picked it back up and ran it, like nbcu.
again, like any business, there are loopholes and loopholes get exploited until closed. writers/actors didn't walk off sets or take a piss on their contracts, they waited until their deal expired, considered offers on the table, and decided to strike.
the gymnastics that are going on to find any other possible way to solve this other than "pay them for their work" is pretty outlandish. not just on this thread, but social media, whatever. writers and actors want to get paid for their art. the public wants to watch their art and is willing to pay for it. last i checked, there were no executives from netflix, apple, disney, or amazon on the bread lines, so apologies if i feel zero sympathy.
they're helping to destroy an occupation and an industry to enrich themselves and their shareholders. same as it ever was.