Writers Guild Staff Union Pickets Outside Negotiations With Studios

Striking staffers bring labor dispute to the doorstep of SAG-AFTRA, where the Writers Guild is negotiating with the AMPTP.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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Members of the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA headquarters in Los Angeles on Monday, where the Writers Guild of America West (WGA West) was commencing negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The striking staffers carried signs criticizing the WGA West's management and erected an inflatable "Scabby the Rat" symbol of union disputes. The WGSU is on strike against the WGA West after failing to reach a first-contract deal, accusing the union of unfair labor practices and bad-faith bargaining.

Why it matters

The WGSU's picketing of the WGA West's negotiations with studios creates an embarrassing scene for the writers' union at a critical moment, as it seeks to project strength and unity. The labor dispute between the staff union and the WGA West management has unraveled the solidarity that was present during the WGA's previous 148-day strike in 2023.

The details

The WGSU began picketing outside the SAG-AFTRA headquarters around noon on Monday, after learning that the WGA West's negotiations with the AMPTP were taking place there. The staffers carried signs with slogans criticizing the WGA West's management, including "WGAMPTP," "WGAW Management: Do You Know How Unions Work?" and "We Tried to Wrap This in September!" The union also erected the inflatable "Scabby the Rat" symbol outside the building.

  • The WGSU began picketing outside the SAG-AFTRA headquarters around noon on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU)

The union representing the staff of the Writers Guild of America West, who are on strike against their employer after alleging unfair labor practices and bad-faith bargaining.

Writers Guild of America West (WGA West)

The labor union representing writers in the entertainment industry, which is currently negotiating a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)

The trade association representing major film and television studios and streaming services, which is negotiating a new contract with the Writers Guild of America West.

SAG-AFTRA

The labor union representing actors, broadcasters, and other media professionals, whose headquarters in Los Angeles is the site of the current negotiations between the WGA West and the AMPTP.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The WGSU's picketing of the WGA West's negotiations with studios highlights the ongoing labor dispute within the writers' union, which has eroded the unity that was present during the WGA's previous strike. This internal conflict could undermine the WGA's bargaining power and leverage as it seeks a new contract with the AMPTP.