Writer's Guild Staff Union reaches tentative agreement with WGA
The new TA, if ratified, will bring to a close a nearly 3 month long strike
UPDATE—5/9/2026: The members of WGSU have ratified this tentative agreement, with 89% of the membership voting in favor of a first contract. Workers will return to work this coming week.
LOS ANGELES, CA—The bargaining committee of the Writer's Guild Staff Union (WGSU) has officially reached a tentative agreement with WGA West. The agreement, if ratified, would bring a months-long strike to a close.
Workers with WGSU, repped by the Pacific Northwest Staff Union walked off the job in February in the midst of bargaining their first contract with the Writer's Guild leadership. Workers manned picket lines 5 days a week outside the WGA headquarters in Los Angeles.
Mel Buer
"After nearly three months of strength, unity, and resolve, WGSU members were able to secure seniority provisions in layoffs and a no-strike clause that both parties agree protects concerted activity," the union said in a statement. "Upon ratification, all WGSU members will receive a minimum four percent salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2026; an additional four percent increase in August of 2026; and a third four percent increase in August of 2027."
According to a release, other key provisions of the new agreement between both parties include:
- Seniority provisions in layoff procedures that prioritize institutional knowledge and dedication to Writers Guild members.
- Minimum 12 percent increases for all Writers Guild staff over the course of the three-year term, including eight percent increases for all in the 2026 calendar year.
- Raising the salary floor from $43,000 to $57,000 retroactive to August 11, 2025, significantly improving take home pay for our lowest paid members.
- Longevity increases retroactive to January 1, 2026 for any WGSU member who has been in the same position or grade for five, ten, and fifteen years.
- Conversion to a wage scale modeled after the wage scale won by staff union siblings employed by WGA East.
- Just cause provisions with progressive discipline and a stepped grievance process.
- The creation of a Labor-Management Committee to establish healthy worksite communication between staff and Guild leadership.
- Protection of bargaining unit positions from replacement by AI, temporary employees, and/or contractors.
A ratification vote will be held in the coming days. If the TA is ratified, the months-long strike will end and workers will return to work.
This is a developing story. Words About Work will update with additional details as they come available.
