Management of the Writers Guild of America West met with the staff union on Sunday night because the two sides aimed to resolve the week-old staff strike.
But while there was some movement on some issues, the staff union said that not enough progress has been made.
“Management continues to be not ready to fulfill the moment,” said Dylan Holmes, co-chair of the Writers Guild Staff Union bargaining committee, during picketing on Tuesday. “They don’t need us to be on this picket line and are attempting to work out learn how to get us off of it. But they’re still unwilling to bargain in good faith with us so as to get there.”
The WGSU went on strike on Feb. 17, alleging that union leadership had failed to noticeably address the staff’s concerns. The staff union — which incorporates about 100 guild employees — argues that wages are too low and that employees are subject to unfair promotion and discipline practices. Many WGAW employees make $50,000 to $80,000 a 12 months, in keeping with public data.
WGA management has denied the allegations of bad-faith bargaining and said it’ll proceed to work with the staff to succeed in a resolution. The 2 sides met on Sunday night on the International Longshore and Warehouse Union hall in San Pedro, as WGAW management sought a “neutral” site.
One other meeting was expected as soon as Tuesday night.
If the strike persists for much longer, it could impact the WGA Awards, that are scheduled for March 8 on the J.W. Marriott hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Staff members typically work on the event alongside an event production crew. In the event that they are on strike, it would raise concerns amongst members about crossing a picket line.
Just a few dozen WGA members joined the staffers in picketing outside the union headquarters at Fairfax Avenue and third Street on Tuesday morning.
“It’s very hypocritical and quite frankly embarrassing that a union that’s at all times on the forefront of attempting to get a superb deal for its members won’t do the identical for its own staff,” said author Joe Russo, who was an assistant lot coordinator in the course of the 2023 WGA strike. “I don’t think it’s a superb look.”
The WGSU formed last April and is working to get its first contract. Last August, the union filed an unfair labor practices grievance accusing the WGA of firing a union staffer for union activity. On the picket on Tuesday, WGA employees and members carried signs holding Ellen Stutzman, the guild’s executive director, accountable for alleged ULPs.
“Come on y’all, that is embarrassing,” read one sign. One other: “Thought we were on the identical team.”
The WGA is on account of sit down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on March 16 to start bargaining recent contract on behalf of writers. The WGA has said that bargaining will go on even when the staff is on strike.
“I don’t love that we’d be principally negotiating on two fronts,” Russo said. “So it could be great to resolve this, get all our geese so as, stop airing our dirty laundry and give attention to a deal for members, because at the top of the day that can help staff too.”