The Writers Guild of America West and its striking staff members have finally struck a deal that could put an end to the nearly three-month work stoppage.
The writers’ union reached a tentative first contract agreement with its unionized staffers on Friday, the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) announced.
“A ratification vote will be held in the coming days. The Bargaining Committee is enthusiastically recommending our members vote yes. Once ratified, the WGSU strike will end and Writers Guild staff will return to doing what we do best: defending the writers’ hard-fought gains and helping them build collective power,” the WGSU Bargaining Committee said in a statement.
The deal puts an end to an eyebrow-raising period for the WGA West that saw a picket line became a staple outside their headquarters on Fairfax Ave. and 3rd St. The inflatable rat “Scabby,” a symbol of labor disputes, sometimes denotes alleged union-busting activity, also made an appearance for a time. The WGA West was accused by the Writers Guild Staff Union of infractions including surveillance, terminating the employment of a union organizer and supporters and bargaining their contract in bad faith — dramatic allegations in any circumstance, but especially when the employer is an advocate for workers itself.
At times, the conflict between the two labor organizations got ugly. In late April the WGA West accused some WGSU picketers of shouting abuse and physical intimidation, calling some of their actions “illegal,” a claim that the WGSU denied. A video leaked to Variety in late March showed a negotiating team for the WGA attempting to enter a building for film and television bargaining while WGSU protestors yelled “Shame!” and “Don’t cross the picket line!”
Beyond the bad optics, the work stoppage also interrupted several major events for the union and its members. Most dramatically, the union canceled its glitzy annual awards ceremony, planning an “alternative celebration” for winners at a future date. Ironically, the event’s would-be host Atsuko Okatsuka subsequently headlined a fundraiser for striking staff.
And after vacating its offices, the WGA West canceled events including planned meetings for members to prepare them for contract negotiations with studios and streamers.
Some WGA West members were vocal in their dismay over the strike, questioning the union’s strategy. Abbott Elementary writer Brittani Nichols issued a statement calling the strike “embarassing” and saying the action “degrades the goodwill we won during our strike.” Member Seth Rogen joked about the episode at the Actors Awards.
The union staffers, no strangers to running picket lines, organized displays that were at times theatrical, with sage being burnt one day and a sound bath artist visiting another.
WGA West general counsel Sean Graham led negotiations for the union while the president of WGSU parent organization the Pacific Northwest Staff Union, Brandon Tippy, headed up the staffers’ side of the bargaining.
More to come.
