The Writers Guild of America began talks with major studios on Monday, with striking staff picketing outside.
The meeting took place at SAG-AFTRA headquarters on Wilshire Boulevard. Shortly before noon, the Writers Guild Employees Union marched several blocks from WGA West headquarters and set up a picket line. They also brought a giant inflatable mascot, “Scabby the Rat,” and parked it outside the building.
The WGSU has been on strike for four weeks, accusing WGA management of failing to negotiate in good faith.
“What do you hate?” the demonstrators shouted. “Crush the labor union!”
Building security immediately called the Los Angeles Police Department, who showed up and ensured that Pickett remained on public sidewalks and did not enter private plazas.
“We are heartbroken that we have to do this because we want our writers to get the best contracts possible,” said WGA attorney Dylan Holmes, co-chair of the staff union bargaining committee. “And we want to help them and help our management, not picket them. But we have to do the same thing as the unions and make our voices heard.”
The Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance has been in talks with SAG-AFTRA at SAG-AFTRA’s headquarters for the last month. Those talks broke down without an agreement on Sunday night, but are expected to resume in June.
SAG-AFTRA also agreed to host the WGA-AMPTP negotiations. WGSU said it will picket every day during negotiations, regardless of where they take place.
WGSU engages Scabby the Rat in picketing outside WGA-AMPTP negotiations at SAG-AFTRA headquarters.
Photo: Gene Maddaus
In discussions with AMPTP, the WGA is also considering addressing the large health insurance deficit and improving minimum wage conditions for writers. The union also wants to pay writers who use their scripts to train AI systems.
The WGA notified members on Friday that it has made an improved proposal to staff, but the two sides have not yet reached an agreement.
WGA negotiators and AMPTP staff were able to enter the SAG-AFTRA building, and WGSU set up a picket line at the entrance to the parking lot. Some WGSU members were keeping an eye on the fate of Ellen Stutzman, the WGA’s chief negotiator.
WGSU asked Stutzman to personally participate in negotiations after he did not attend a meeting in Burbank last week.
The WGA has said it needs to shift its focus to AMPTP, and questions remain as to whether the staff strike can be quickly resolved.
“We can get it done tonight,” said WGA West organizer Leila Luperchio, who was picketing outside one of the parking lot entrances. “We can negotiate late into the night, until midnight. And once we’ve done it, we’ll get it done. We don’t want to be out here. We don’t want to picket their negotiations. This is the last thing we want.”
Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA did not mention the staff strike, but issued its customary statement of solidarity with the WGA.
“SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with the WGA in its contract negotiations with AMPTP,” the performers’ union said. “Writers have the right to contracts that recognize their valuable and unique contributions to the industry.”
