Writers Guild Awards Held in New York After L.A. Ceremony Canceled Amid WGA West Staff Strike

Roy Wood Jr. hosts the East Coast event as the Writers Guild of America West staff union remains on strike, forcing the cancellation of the traditional West Coast ceremony.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The 2026 Writers Guild Awards ceremony is taking place in New York on Sunday after the Los Angeles event was canceled due to an ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America West's own staff. The WGAW staff union has been on strike since February 17, alleging unfair labor practices amid first contract negotiations. As a result, the WGAW canceled the L.A. ceremony, with guild president Michele Mulroney citing the staff strike as the reason. The East Coast event in New York is being hosted by Roy Wood Jr.

Why it matters

The Writers Guild Awards are a prestigious annual event honoring excellence in screenwriting across film, television, and other media. The cancellation of the Los Angeles ceremony due to the WGA West staff strike highlights the ongoing labor tensions within the entertainment industry, as unions fight for better working conditions and first contract negotiations.

The details

Several major film and television projects are nominated for awards at the New York ceremony, including original screenplay nominees Black Bag, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Marty Supreme, Sinners, and Weapons, as well as adapted screenplay nominees Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and Train Dreams. In the television categories, Pluribus leads with four nominations, followed by The Pitt and The Studio with three each.

  • The 2026 Writers Guild Awards ceremony is taking place on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • The WGA West staff union has been on strike since February 17, 2026.

The players

Michele Mulroney

President of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW).

Roy Wood Jr.

Comedian and host of the 2026 Writers Guild Awards ceremony in New York.

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What they’re saying

“An alternative celebration for this year's Los Angeles-based nominees will be scheduled at a later date.”

— Michele Mulroney, WGAW President

“While I respect the staff's right to strike, I also believe that you deserve an uncomplicated celebration of your achievements. We would not ask you, your guests, talent and crew to cross a picket line to attend.”

— Michele Mulroney, WGAW President

What’s next

The WGAW is expected to reschedule an alternative celebration for the Los Angeles-based nominees at a later date once the staff strike is resolved.

The takeaway

The cancellation of the Writers Guild Awards ceremony in Los Angeles due to the WGA West staff strike underscores the ongoing labor tensions in the entertainment industry, as unions fight for better working conditions and first contract negotiations. This situation highlights the challenges of honoring creative achievements while navigating complex labor disputes.