Hollywood Unions Prepare for 2026 Contract Negotiations

SAG-AFTRA is set to initiate contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in early February 2026. The AMPTP, led by Greg Hessinger, is reportedly preparing to offer a substantial financial package aimed at revitalizing the health plans of SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The proposed amount is approximately $110 million, intended to address significant deficits in these health plans, particularly the WGA plan, which has incurred losses exceeding $120 million since the conclusion of the writers' strike two years ago.

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The AMPTP's offer comes amid ongoing financial challenges faced by the guilds, with discussions indicating a potential shift from three-year contracts to five-year agreements. This change is framed as a strategy to provide stability in an industry marked by production declines and economic uncertainty. However, some guild members express skepticism, arguing that longer contracts could diminish the studios' accountability regarding critical issues such as artificial intelligence, residuals, and industry mergers.

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The AMPTP has acknowledged the difficulties confronting the WGA Health Plan, stating, “The AMPTP understands the challenges facing the WGA Health Plan and is ready to partner with the Guild on balanced, practical solutions through the bargaining process.” Meanwhile, both the DGA and SAG-AFTRA have refrained from commenting on the negotiations, while the WGA is preparing its bargaining committee under the leadership of Ellen Stutzman.

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Critics within the guilds have voiced concerns regarding the proposed longer contracts. A prominent insider from the WGA remarked, “Longer contracts mean less reasons for the studios and the AMPTP to pay attention to labor,” suggesting that such agreements could lead to neglect of vital issues affecting workers. This sentiment reflects a broader apprehension about the potential for reduced oversight on labor matters in an evolving industry landscape.

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As the expiration dates for the current labor agreements approach—May 1, 2026, for the WGA and June 30 for SAG-AFTRA and the DGA—there is an expectation that negotiations will conclude with new agreements well before these deadlines. The upcoming discussions will not only focus on health plans but also address pressing topics such as AI and residuals, which have become increasingly significant in the wake of recent labor actions.

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• “It’s not sustainable; it has to be addressed,” — Studio and streamer source

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• “Longer contracts mean less reasons for the studios and the AMPTP to pay attention to labor,” — WGA insider

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• “The AMPTP understands the challenges facing the WGA Health Plan and is ready to partner with the Guild on balanced, practical solutions through the bargaining process and deliberations among trustees,” — AMPTP statement

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