WGAE’s new priorities: Navigating the post-strike landscape
A year after the strike: Reflecting on progress and future goals
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has marked the one-year anniversary of the 148-day writers’ strike with a renewed focus on key priorities. In a recent memo to members, WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen outlined the guild’s immediate goals and ongoing efforts to support writers in the ever-evolving landscape of film and television.
Strengthening the guild: New leadership and strategic initiatives
Appointing a new executive director
One of the most significant steps taken by the WGAE this year was the appointment of Sam Wheeler as the new Executive Director. Wheeler, a seasoned labor lawyer and entertainment-union leader, brings a strategic vision for the guild’s future. His appointment followed a rigorous six-month search process, and he has already begun engaging with members to address their concerns and aspirations.
Navigating the post-strike landscape
The 148-day strike resulted in a groundbreaking contract that addressed existential threats to the writing profession. However, the journey doesn’t end there. The WGAE has identified three immediate goals to ensure continued progress:
- Promoting East-based writers’ rooms: By informing showrunners, production companies, and studios that writing services are covered by the film/TV production tax credit in states like New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Illinois, the guild aims to create more opportunities for East Coast writers.
- Combating unpaid development: The guild is taking a stand against the practice of unpaid development, ensuring that writers are fairly compensated for their work.
- Supporting lower-level and marginalized writers: Efforts are being made to ensure that these writers are not left behind in the industry’s evolving landscape.
Member engagement and feedback
Over the summer, the WGAE held a series of member gatherings to hear firsthand about their experiences and concerns. While many members reported benefiting from contract gains such as staff-writer script fees and higher pay in pre-greenlight rooms, the primary concern remains getting back to work. The guild is committed to addressing these issues and building resources to support its members.
Embracing technology and innovation
AI Task Force
In response to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the industry, the WGAE has established an AI Task Force. This group, comprising members from various sectors, meets monthly to track and research AI’s impact on the profession and to develop actionable ideas. The guild is also pursuing federal and state legislation in collaboration with union allies to protect writers’ interests.
Office and technology upgrades
The WGAE is investing in its infrastructure to better serve its members. The guild’s Hudson Street offices are undergoing renovations to create more user-friendly spaces and a modern workplace for staff. Additionally, the guild is overhauling its website and member databases for improved efficiency and security. Film and TV members can look forward to the long-awaited roll-out of direct deposit for residual checks.
Protecting journalists and organizing strategically
Defending news workers
The WGAE is actively fighting against corporate efforts to weaken or dissolve contracts for news members, particularly through mergers and acquisitions. The guild is negotiating collective bargaining agreements with strong provisions on severance and successorship. Recently, WGAE council representatives met with the Department of Labor to advocate for policies that protect news workers.
Strategic organizing
The guild’s Organizing Committee is focused on expanding its reach within nonfiction TV and podcast companies. Internal organizing within existing shops is crucial to counter industry consolidation and contraction. This approach has led to significant contract gains at organizations like Sesame Workshop, Crooked Media, and iHeart Podcast Network. In the coming year, the guild will negotiate with entities such as PBS, Vox Media, and WNET Thirteen.
A call to action: Member involvement and solidarity
The WGAE is a member-led union, and its strength lies in the active participation of its members. President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen encourages members to engage with the guild, attend events, join committees, and share their ideas and concerns. The guild’s leadership is committed to representing and supporting its members, and member involvement is key to achieving collective goals.
In her closing remarks, Cullen expressed pride in the WGAE’s achievements and gratitude for the trust placed in the guild’s leadership. She emphasized the importance of solidarity and collective action in building a stronger, more resilient union.
For more information on the WGAE’s initiatives and to get involved, members are encouraged to reach out to their sector VPs, Secretary-Treasurer, or council representatives.
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