WGA West Staff Vote to Authorize Strike Ahead of Studio Negotiations
Staff members of the Writers Guild of America West (WGA West) have voted to authorize a strike, occurring weeks before the union's scheduled negotiations with major studios. The staff, who organized in the spring, are seeking improved wages and job protections in their initial contract.
Negotiations between the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) and WGA West management have been intermittent since September, with the last session on January 17.
Strike Authorization Details
The Pacific Northwest Staff Union (PNWSU), representing WGA West staffers, reported that 82 out of 100 employees voted to authorize a strike over alleged unfair labor practices.
These practices reportedly include "surface bargaining," unilateral changes to the status quo, "unlawful surveillance," and retaliation.
The WGSU stated on Instagram, "If management won’t bargain in good faith with us at the table, we will see them on the picket line."
In August, the WGSU filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the WGA West, alleging the unlawful termination of an organizing committee member. The WGA West denied this allegation at the time.
Key Staff Union Proposals
According to a WGSU fact sheet, the staffers' proposals include:
- Just cause and grievance procedures
- Protections from artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace
- Work-from-home provisions
- Sustainable workloads
- Language addressing extreme weather events and climate change impacts
- Professional development resources
- Pay increases aiming for living wages
- A strong union wage scale
The WGSU has also indicated that 64% of its members earn below $84,850, which is identified as the "low income" threshold for a single-person household in Los Angeles County.
WGA West Responds to Allegations
The WGA West has denied allegations of labor law violations. A union spokesperson stated that the WGAW has been bargaining in good faith since September, offering comprehensive proposals for union protections and improvements to compensation and benefits.
The spokesperson added that claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate and unfair labor practice allegations lack merit, expressing hope for a contract agreement soon.
Further details from a four-page comparison document released by WGA West indicate a minimum annual salary offer of $55,000 from management, while the staff union seeks a minimum of $59,737.
Regarding AI, management confirmed no current intention to use it, and offered paid training if use were to occur. However, management expressed concerns that the staff's AI proposal could hinder the adoption of new technologies for employee work evaluation.
Broader Context and Upcoming Negotiations
WGA West staffers supported thousands of writers during the 2023 WGA strike.
The WGA is scheduled to resume negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on March 16, prior to the May 1 contract expiration.
The WGA West communicated to its members that while it prefers to avoid a staff strike at this critical juncture, AMPTP negotiations will proceed regardless, with executive and managerial staff outside the PNWSU bargaining unit handling core Guild functions to minimize disruption.