You cannot make this up. The Writers Guild of America, fresh off a historic 148-day strike that brought Hollywood to its knees in 2023, is now facing a strike from its own staff.
The Pacific Northwest Staff Union, representing approximately 100 WGA West employees—attorneys, research analysts, residuals reps, software engineers—voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The same people who supported thousands of writers during last year's strike are now preparing to walk out themselves.
The irony is so thick you could spread it on toast.
Here's what they're demanding: a minimum annual salary of $59,737 (management offered $55,000). Currently, 64% of WGA staff members earn less than $84,850—which is below the "low income" threshold for Los Angeles County. Let that sink in. The union that fights for writers' pay can't pay its own staff a living wage in LA.
They're also asking for basic protections: "just cause" discipline procedures, AI safeguards (yes, the union worried about AI replacing writers is now fielding AI concerns from its own employees), remote work provisions, and sustainable workloads.
The WGA leadership's response? They've accused the staff union of "surface bargaining" and "unlawful surveillance." These are the exact same tactics studio executives were condemned for during the 2023 strike. The snake is eating its own tail.
Timing couldn't be worse—or better, depending on your appreciation for theatrical irony. The WGA must negotiate with major studios on March 16, less than two months away. Imagine walking into that room while your own staff is on strike outside.
David Goodman, WGA West president, essentially begged staff not to strike "at such a critical point." But that's the whole point of labor action, isn't it? You strike when it hurts.
This isn't just about money or working conditions. It's about the fundamental question that's plagued labor movements forever: do you practice what you preach? The WGA spent 2023 arguing that writers deserve dignity, fair wages, and protection from exploitation. Their own staff is now asking the same question.
The guild's reputation was bulletproof after the 2023 strike. Fran Drescher and the unions emerged as heroes who stood up to corporate greed. But heroes who can't extend the same courtesy to their own employees? That's a different story.
According to Variety, the staff played a "key part" in supporting writers during the 2023 strike. Now they're preparing to use those same tactics against the guild itself.
In Hollywood, we love a good twist. But this one writes itself—and it's not a happy ending.
