As the Writers Guild of America West prepares to negotiate a new contract with major studios, its staff union has authorized a strike of its own.<\/p>\n
The labor group\u2019s staff union (WGSU), which includes attorneys, research analysts and other positions, claims that \u201cmanagement has dismissed [its] staff\u2019s needs and engaged in bad faith surface bargaining with no intent to reach a fair contract.\u201d According to the union\u2019s social media post<\/a>, 82% of its members voted to authorize a strike.<\/p>\n The union wrote that 100 members participated in the vote, \u201cdemonstrating our unity and commitment to winning a fair contract. If management won\u2019t bargain in good faith with us at the table, we will see them on the picket line.\u201d<\/p>\n With a strike authorization vote, a strike is not guaranteed, but it gives union leaders the power to call one if needed.<\/p>\n WGSU claims it has been negotiating with the union since last September. The pending contract, according to a flier from the union, deals with issues such as AI protections, pay raises and \u201cbasic protections\u201d like grievance procedures.<\/p>\n WGA has denied these claims, arguing that the union has offered \u201ccomprehensive proposals with numerous union protections and improvements to compensation and benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPublic claims suggesting otherwise are inaccurate, and allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit. WGAW respects the staff\u2019s right to engage in collective activity, and hopes to reach a first contract agreement with the staff union soon,\u201d wrote a union spokesperson in a statement.<\/p>\n In response to the strike authorization, WGA West also released a four-page comparison of the proposals and counterproposals on Thursday. The document shows management has offered a minimum annual salary of $55,000 and the staff union is asking for a minimum of $59,737.<\/p>\n