The WGA West Staff Union has officially ratified its first collective bargaining agreement with the guild, ending an 82-day work stoppage.
The inaugural contract was ratified by 89% of its members, and according to the organization’s announcement, codifies “many fundamental hallmarks of a unionized workplace,” including just cause protections with a progressive discipline process, seniority provisions in layoff procedure and the establishment of a labor-management committee.
Additionally, the WGSU secured over $500,000 in wage increases for its 116 members, said bargaining committee co-chair Missy Brown. By August of next year, the union will see its salaries increase by a minimum of 12%.
“This was a long time coming. I am glad I’m here to see it happen, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside my union siblings,” said Alfie Ebojo, WGSU member and WGA West residuals processor. “The relationships that we’ve built during this process will only make our union stronger for future contracts to come.”
Ahead of the weekend, Deadline reported the two sides had reached a tentative deal after the staff union spent nearly three months on the picket line.
Per the WGSU, the tentative contract also included a no-strike clause that both parties agree protects concerted activity. As for wages, upon ratification, all WGSU members will receive a minimum 4% salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2026, an additional 4% increase in August 2026, and a third 4% increase in August 2027.
Though a strike was called in February, the parties have been negotiating a deal since September, following the staff’s organization with the Pacific Northwest Staff Union last spring.
The WGSU and WGA West have largely been at an impasse since the inception of the strike, particularly when the latter entered its own talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for a new contract to represent film and TV writers. WGA West management continued to dig its heels in after AMPTP talks ended, refusing for several weeks to negotiate further with the staff union after a “last, best and final” offer made April 8. The staff union didn’t relent, though, and had initially planned a rally on the picket line outside guild HQ last Friday to show off its support among writers.