WGA Staff Strike Continues as Contract Talks with Studios Begin

Los Angeles, CA – As the Writers Guild of America (WGA) embarks on negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for a new contract, a separate labor dispute continues to unfold within the guild itself. The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) staff union remains on strike, escalating tensions as their own contract negotiations with WGAW management stall.

WGA Staff Union Demands Fair Contract

The Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) issued a statement on Friday requesting a meeting with WGAW leadership on Saturday, stating it is “far beyond time to settle a fair contract.” The staff have been on strike for over a month, picketing outside both WGAW headquarters and, more recently, the SAG-AFTRA building where WGA and AMPTP negotiations are taking place. Deadline reported on the composition of the WGA negotiating committee in November 2025.

According to the WGSU, negotiations have been ongoing since September 9, 2025, but have been hampered by what they describe as “blanket rejections and refusals to bargain” from WGAW management. The union accuses leadership of stalling the process and forcing them to bargain against themselves. They are seeking what they describe as a “standard union contract.”

WGAW Response and Ongoing Negotiations

The WGAW has denied any wrongdoing in response to the WGSU’s claims of unfair labor practices and has released a side-by-side comparison of proposals and counter-proposals. However, a spokesperson for WGA West did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment regarding the latest developments with the staff strike.

Broader WGA-AMPTP Contract Talks Underway

Simultaneously, the WGA is engaged in negotiations with the AMPTP for a new Master Minimum Agreement (MBA), with the current contract set to expire on May 1. The Hollywood Reporter detailed the WGA’s priorities heading into negotiations, emphasizing the critical require to address the union’s health and pension funds, which are currently operating at a deficit.

Ellen Stutzman, WGAW Executive Director, is serving as chief negotiator, having also led the 2023 negotiations that resulted in a 148-day strike. John August and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel are serving as committee co-chairs. Deadline published the full list of committee members in November 2025.

Impact of Disputes

The WGSU’s strike led to the cancellation of the WGA Awards west coast ceremony, with would-be host Atsuko Okatsuka instead performing a benefit show for the striking staff. WGA leadership also faced criticism from Seth Rogen at the Actor Awards. The WGA East and West are jointly negotiating with the studios, but only the West’s staff is currently on strike.

Negotiations between the WGA and AMPTP are proceeding under a self-imposed media blackout, with limited information available to the public. However, the WGA has made it clear that securing the health plan is its top priority.