Writers Guild of America West chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman was likely wrapping up her first week of talks with the major Hollywood studios Friday afternoon when the union’s staff called her back to their own bargaining table.
The staff have now been on strike for more than a month, and they remain on the picket line as the writers union negotiates with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. In a statement issued directly to Stutzman, the Writers Guild Staff Union requested a meeting on Saturday, as it is “far beyond time to settle a fair contract.”
Per the statement, Stutzman last spoke with members of the staff union’s negotiating committee on March 12, which the WGSU said they were “disappointed … was not more fruitful.”
From there, the WGSU’s statement chronicles the staff’s perspective on the entire debacle thus far, reminding their employer that they’ve been attempting to negotiate a contract since September 9, 2025, and explaining how WGAW management “stalled part of the bargaining process.”
The WGSU accuses leadership of issuing repeated “blanket rejections and refusals to bargain” that effectively forced them to bargain against themselves.
“Enough is enough. We are committed to an authentic bargaining process, with both parties interested in coming to an agreement on what amounts to a standard union contract,” the statement concludes. “Let us come together this weekend and work productively to reach an agreement our members can ratify. Our members would much rather be helping you with AMPTP bargaining, not picketing outside of it.”
A spokesperson for the WGA West did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment. This post will be updated if/when they do.
In response to the WGSU’s previous claims of unfair labor practices, the WGAW has denied any wrongdoing. In response to the staff’s strike, leadership also has released an updated side-by-side comparison of both parties’ proposals and counter-proposals.
The WGSU moved its picket down the street to the SAG-AFTRA building for much of the week to picket outside the building where their leaders were bargaining with the AMPTP. The WGA East and WGA West are jointly negotiating a new contract with the studios, but only the West’s staff is on strike.
RELATED: WGA Awards West Coast Ceremony Canceled Amid Staff Union Strike
Not much has emerged on talks between the WGA and AMPTP, due to the self-imposed media blackout under which the pair are operating. That said, the writers unions have been clear about their priorities. First and foremost, the writers need to address their health and pension funds, which have been operating in a deficit for the last several years amid the global industry contraction.
Prior to this week, the staff had been dutifully marching outside WGAW headquarters on the busy intersection of 3rd St. & Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles for a full month. At times, they were joined by writers guild members who marched in solidarity and expressed frustration with their union for letting the tensions escalate to this degree.
The fallout also included the cancellation of the WGA Awards west coast ceremony. Would-be host Atsuko Okatsuka instead headlined a comedy benefit show for the striking staff the same night. WGA leadership was also roasted on stage by Seth Rogen at the Actor Awards.