California Senator Urges End to Writers Guild Staff Union Strike

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with studios, yet the majority of the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) remains on strike, which began on February 17, 2026. Approximately 110 staff members initiated the work stoppage after five months of negotiations failed to yield a contract. The staffers are advocating for improved pay and job security, with a particular focus on securing seniority protections in promotions and layoffs to mitigate favoritism.

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The WGSU's demands include equitable wage step scales, layoff protections, and seniority in promotions, which they argue are essential for maintaining fairness within the workplace. The WGA West has proposed a deal that includes $800,000 in salary increases, but the two sides have not reached a consensus despite discussions on March 17 and March 24. The WGA West has indicated that the strike will conclude when the WGSU either accepts a deal or decides to return to work without one.

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California Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has publicly supported the striking staff, urging the WGA to end the strike. In her letter, she emphasized the importance of the WGSU's demands, stating, “They deserve the standard union contract provisions that they’re fighting for, including an equitable wage step scale, layoff protections, and seniority in promotions.” Smallwood-Cuevas highlighted that the ongoing strike hampers the guild's ability to fulfill its mission effectively.

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Additionally, four members of the Los Angeles City Council—Eunisses Hernandez, Katy Yaroslavsky, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Tim McOsker—expressed their support for the WGSU in March, reinforcing the call for a fair contract.

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As the strike continues, the striking staffers have lost their health care coverage as of April 1, 2026, due to exceeding the duration without qualifying employment. This loss underscores the urgency of reaching an agreement, as the staff's ability to support themselves is increasingly compromised.

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The WGA West maintains that it has offered a fair deal to the WGSU, while the striking staffers argue that their demands are fundamental to their rights and job security. The ongoing negotiations reflect a broader struggle within labor movements for equitable treatment and protections in the workplace.

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While the WGA West claims to have made a fair offer, the WGSU's insistence on seniority protections indicates a significant divide in perspectives on what constitutes a satisfactory agreement. The lack of a breakthrough in negotiations raises questions about the future of the strike and the potential for resolution.

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“Every day this strike continues is a day the Guild is not at full capacity to carry out its mission,” — Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, California Senator

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“A fair contract is not only a matter of basic dignity for these workers; it is essential to ensuring that guild staff can do the best possible job on behalf of WGAW members.” — Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, California Senator

Variety Magazine

“They deserve the standard union contract provisions that they’re fighting for, including an equitable wage step scale, layoff protections, and seniority in promotions,” — Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, California Senator

Variety Magazine