WGA Staff Strike Continues as MBA Negotiations Loom

Talks fail as WGAW staff union rejects $800,000 wage offer, threatening to picket upcoming negotiations.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:24am

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The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is facing an internal conflict as its 115-member staff union continues a strike, just days before crucial negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are set to begin. The staff union recently rejected a sweetened offer from the WGAW, and if a resolution isn't reached this weekend, they may picket Monday's bargaining session, creating a difficult situation for the WGA Negotiating Committee.

Why it matters

The staff strike threatens to disrupt the upcoming Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) negotiations between the WGA and AMPTP, which cover the terms of employment for TV and film writers. A picket line could force WGA negotiators to cross it, creating a public relations challenge and potentially disrupting the bargaining process.

The details

The WGSU, which unionized in April 2025, is seeking 'basic protections,' including robust protections against artificial intelligence in the workplace, pay increases, and just cause and grievance procedures. Most workers in the bargaining unit earn less than $84,000 annually, a figure the union argues is insufficient for living in Los Angeles. The staff union has criticized WGAW Executive Director Ellen Stutzman for not attending the latest bargaining session, urging her to return to the table.

  • The WGSU staff union has been on strike since mid-February 2026.
  • The AMPTP negotiations are set to begin on Monday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Writers Guild of America West (WGAW)

The labor union representing television and film writers in the United States.

Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU)

The 115-member staff union representing non-supervisory employees at WGAW.

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)

The trade association representing major film and television production companies in the United States.

Ellen Stutzman

The Executive Director of the WGAW.

Jackie Penn

The vice chair of the WGAW Committee for Black Writers.

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What they’re saying

“We would not have survived the 2023 strike without the staffers.”

— Jackie Penn, Vice chair of the WGAW Committee for Black Writers

What’s next

If a resolution isn't reached this weekend, the striking staff union may picket Monday's bargaining session with the AMPTP, which could force WGA negotiators to cross the picket line.

The takeaway

The WGA staff strike is part of a broader trend of labor unrest in the media industry, as workers seek better wages, job security, and protections in a rapidly changing landscape. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the upcoming MBA negotiations and the future of writers' rights.