Tensions are beginning to boil between the Writers Guild of America West and its striking staff, who have been without pay for six weeks.
The Writers Guild staff union is picketing outside SAG-AFTRA headquarters, where the WGA is negotiating with major studios. On Thursday morning, many staff members yelled at WGA bargaining committee members and WGA managers as they entered the building.
“Scab! Scab! Scab!” shouted one demonstrator, while another shouted “Shame on you!”
Staff also blocked off driveways, forcing WGA administrators to wait several minutes to enter and exit the SAG-AFTRA parking lot.
On Wednesday night, WGSU members were blocking cars at the exit when someone in a car next to them began threatening the picketers. WGSU said the individual, who was not affiliated with the WGA, threatened to “kill” one of its employees.
Staffers then told what happened to WGA Western General Counsel Sean Graham, who resigned shortly thereafter. Mr. Graham has been leading negotiations with staff on behalf of the union.
“Take the deal,” Graham told them, according to WGSU.
“WGAW management does not value us,” WGSU said in a statement on Instagram. “They don’t care about our health or the safety of those of us who are crossing the picket lines every day this week.”
WGSU represents approximately 110 employees at WGA West, including attorneys, contract and retention staff, and researchers. They have been on strike for 39 days demanding better wages and job protection.
At the same time, the WGA is negotiating new contracts with the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance at SAG-AFTRA headquarters for approximately 11,000 television and film writers.
The clash outside SAG-AFTRA headquarters Thursday morning was the most bellicose yet. Video of the incident shows management and the bargaining committee walking single file through a cacophony of WGA staff, temporarily blocked off and forming a bottleneck at the entrance to the building.
“You want a fair contract for your workers,” one picketer shouted into a bullhorn. “Why don’t you want a fair contract for all workers?”
“Fair deal!” cried another. “Shame, shame, shame!” said another.
Hours later, WGSU sent a 49-page contract proposal to management, saying it included several major amendments to end the strike. Among the key issues are WGSU’s proposals for seniority-based pay structures and the protection of seniority in the termination process.
“The Writers Guild staff union has been on strike for more than five weeks, making this one of the longest strikes yet.”
“This is the first strike by union workers in American history,” the union said in an accompanying cover letter. “We now have to picket negotiations with AMPTP because management has chosen to go to war with its own workers.”
Staffers gave WGA West Executive Director Ellen Stutzman until late Monday night to respond. There was no response as of Friday morning.
If management is reluctant to accept or negotiate on the updated offer, WGSU suggested that the dispute could be submitted to binding arbitration before the California Bureau of Mediation and Conciliation or the American Arbitration Association.
The WGA notified members Friday night that negotiators would return on Monday to begin a third week of negotiations with AMPTP.
“Through our unity, our goal remains to strengthen our health insurance and pension systems, make our careers sustainable into the future, and build on the gains we have made in 2023,” the WGA negotiating committee said.
