Just a month before the Writers Guild of America West is set to negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the Writers Guild Staff Union has gone on strike until further notice. The WSGU announced the work stoppage earlier today, and members are expected to form a picket line in front of the WGA West Los Angeles offices. 

The WGA West staff officially unionized with the Pacific Northwest Staff Union last April and have been in negotiations on their first contract since September, but it has not been easy, to say the least. The WGSU has frequently called out management for “bad faith bargaining,” accusing them on Tuesday of letting employers surveil employees for union activity, as well as allowing them to fire union supporters, and that they have “no intention to come to an agreement on most of WGSU’s core issues.” These events closely follow the ULP charge filed by the WGSU against the WGA West with the National Labor Relations Board, citing that a “member of the organizing committee was unlawfully fired.” 

A WGA West spokesperson responded against the strike in a statement earlier today, stating, 

The WGAW respects the staff union’s right to strike, and will continue to bargain in good faith. During the course of 19 negotiating sessions since September, the Guild has offered the staff union comprehensive proposals with numerous union protections and improvements to compensation and working conditions. PNWSU’s allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit. The WGAW Board, WGA Negotiating Committee and executive staff will continue to prepare for the upcoming MBA negotiations, and management staff will carry on the core functions of the Guild. We look forward to a resolution of a first contract with the staff union.

When the WGSU was given authorization to strike in late January, the WGAW responded by releasing a comparison document that details both parties’ proposals and counterproposals. The WGA is set to begin discussing a new TV and Theatrical contract with major Hollywood studios this March, as the current contract expires on May 1.

Hopefully, this deal is resolved efficiently and leaves both parties satisfied.