The Writers Guild of America West's dedicated staff has embarked on a strike, a bold move just a month before the writers guild prepares to negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This decision comes as the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) has been engaged in intermittent negotiations with management since September, striving to secure their first contract. The WGSU has accused management of bad faith bargaining, citing instances of surveillance of union activity, termination of union supporters, and superficial negotiations that fail to address core issues. These allegations follow a ULP charge filed by the WGSU against the WGA West with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging an unlawful firing of an organizing committee member.
In response, the WGA West has expressed respect for the staff union's right to strike, emphasizing their commitment to bargaining in good faith. Over 19 negotiating sessions, the Guild has presented comprehensive proposals, offering numerous protections and improvements to compensation and working conditions. The WGAW refutes the WGSU's unfair labor practice allegations, asserting that the proposals are well-founded. Despite the strike, the WGAW Board, Negotiating Committee, and executive staff will continue their preparations for the upcoming AMPTP negotiations, ensuring the Guild's core functions remain operational. The WGAW has also released a detailed comparison of both parties' proposals and counterproposals, providing transparency and clarity.
The timing of the strike is significant, as the WGA is set to negotiate a new TV/Theatrical contract with major Hollywood studios in March, with the current contract set to expire on May 1. The Pacific Northwest Staff Union, representing a diverse range of roles, including residuals and dues processors, IT and data management workers, organizers, communications specialists, legal personnel, researchers, Writers Guild Theater employees, and contract enforcement staff, has united in this action. The WGAW has announced that guild headquarters will be closed to members and the public until further notice, and all upcoming guild events, including meetings on the WGA's bargaining priorities, have been canceled.
