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WGA Staffers Threaten Strike Ahead of Studio Talks
12 Feb
Summary
- WGA staff organized under a separate union, demanding better pay and conditions.
- Staffers authorized a strike vote, creating internal conflict before studio negotiations.
- Negotiations between WGA staff and leadership have been ongoing since September.
Members of the Writers Guild of America staff union picketed at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on Wednesday, expressing grievances ahead of planned negotiations with studio management. The staff union, organized last spring, authorized a strike vote on January 29, creating internal discord before the WGA's March 16 talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
WGA staff are seeking improved working conditions, including "just cause" disciplinary protections and a more equitable pay structure. Approximately 64% of the membership reportedly earns less than $84,850 annually, with concerns raised about low wages and high turnover. The staff union has also accused WGA management of unfair labor practices, including the termination of union supporters.
Negotiations between the WGA staff union and guild leadership began in September and have faced challenges, with accusations of "surface bargaining" and bad faith. While the WGA presented a comparison of bargaining positions, highlighting a proposed minimum salary increase, the staff union emphasized significant differences on key issues like seniority and discipline, leading to frustration over perceived communication breakdowns.
