WGA Aims to Turn Focus to Studios, While Staff Remains on Strike

Source: Variety

By Gene Maddaus Feb 26, 2026 3:36pm PT

The Writers Guild of America issued its opening salvo the 2026 studio negotiations on Thursday, even as its own staff continues to walk a picket line outside union headquarters.

The union is preparing to sit down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on March 16. In a bulletin to members on Thursday, WGA leadership offered an update on the “state of the industry,” arguing that profits are rebounding and studios can afford to make a “fair deal.”

“Every three years during MBA negotiations, the companies will point to some part of their business that is not performing well to claim they couldn’t possibly meet writers’ needs,” the union told its members. “This cycle is no different.”

The WGA has said that negotiations will go on as usual, even if the staff remains on strike. The Writers Guild Staff Union, which represents about two-thirds of all WGA West employees, walked out on Feb. 17, alleging that WGA West leadership had failed to bargain in good faith on issues like wage scales and just cause for discipline. The union has warned that the Writers Guild Awards, scheduled for March 8, could be canceled if a deal is not reached soon.


Michael Buckner

Read more: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/wga-state-of-the-industry-report-1236674121/