The Writers Guild of America West has made a favorable offer to its 110 union employees, who have been on strike since mid-February.
But with only days left until the WGA begins negotiations with major studios on a new minimum agreement, differences between the two sides remain unresolved. If no deal is reached this weekend, the Writers Guild staff union could appear outside the negotiating hall on Monday, forcing the WGA bargaining committee to cross the picket line to negotiate on behalf of TV and film writers.
WGAW Executive Director Ellen Stutzman said in a memo to members Friday night that the employee union rejected the latest offer, worth $800,000 in additional wages in the first year.
“It’s always the union’s right to decide when to enter into an agreement and how long to strike,” Stutzman said. “Next week, we will focus our efforts on negotiating the most important role for Guild members: the MBA.”
WGSU said Stutzman did not participate in the latest negotiation session on Wednesday and urged him to do so this weekend.
“It’s time to end this strike by coming back to the table and negotiating a fair contract this weekend,” WGSU said on Instagram. “There is still an opportunity to participate in this MBA negotiation cycle as a united front.”
WGSU was formed last year and has been calling for improved pay standards and job protection. They argue that most of the workers they represent earn less than $84,000 a year, which is less than a living wage in Los Angeles.
The WGA West spends about $9 million a year on bargaining unit salaries. In his memo, Stutzman said the first year’s wage increase will be 4%, which is on top of a 3% increase last August. He said another 4% increase is expected in August 2026 and August 2027.
Meanwhile, the WGSU said both parties were making “real progress,” but also said the WGAW executive had issued an ultimatum demanding staff “abandon core union issues such as seniority and job protection.”
WGSU wrote, “We are disappointed that management is continuing the strike with its malicious tactics.”
Stutzman said WGSU has not backed away from some of its demands, including the right to strike during the contract period and having the contract term align with the MBA’s negotiation cycle. Such conditions would increase the influence of staff unions in all bargaining cycles due to the threat of strikes during negotiations with studios.
The employee union is also seeking the reinstatement of three employees who WGAW says were fired for cause. WGSU claims they were wrongfully fired for their union activities.
