The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) has canceled its awards ceremony originally scheduled for March 8, as its staff union members continue to strike. The employees are demanding higher pay and protections against the use of artificial intelligence.
In a letter sent to members on Sunday, WGA West’s board of directors, including President Michele Mulroney, explained the decision: “The non-supervisory staff of the WGAW are currently on strike and the Guild would not ask our members or guests to cross a picket line to attend the awards show. The WGAW staff have a right to strike and our exceptional nominees and honorees deserve an uncomplicated celebration of their achievements.”
While the Los Angeles ceremony has been canceled, the New York ceremony, also scheduled for the same day, is expected to proceed as planned. According to the letter, an alternative celebration for Los Angeles-based nominees will be held at a later date.
Comedian and actor Atsuko Okatsuka was set to host the L.A. event, and filmmaker James Cameron was slated to receive the WGA West Laurel Award.
WGA union staffers have been striking outside the guild’s Los Angeles headquarters on Fairfax Avenue since February 17. The union alleges that management did not intend to reach an agreement on the pending contract. Furthermore, they claim that guild management has “surveilled workers for union activity, terminated union supporters, and engaged in bad faith surface bargaining.”
On Tuesday, the union stated that management had mentioned canceling the ceremony during a call about contract negotiations. The staff union responded, “Make no mistake: this is an attempt by WGAW management to drive a wedge between WGSU and WGA membership when we should be building unity ahead of MBA [Minimum Basic Agreement] negotiations with the AMPTP [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers].”
The union further urged guild management to end the strike immediately, posting on Instagram, “We urge Guild management to end this strike now.”
The union, formed last spring and consisting of more than 100 employees working in areas such as legal, communications, and residuals, first authorized a strike in January with 82% of its members supporting the action.
Contract negotiations, which began in September, have primarily focused on the use of artificial intelligence, pay raises, and “basic protections” including grievance procedures. The WGA has stated that it offered “comprehensive proposals with numerous union protections and improvements to compensation and benefits.”
The cancellation of the awards ceremony, occurring just weeks before the Oscars, casts a shadow over the upcoming negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents studios and streamers.
Notably, in 2023, the WGA experienced a strike lasting 148 days, marking the second-longest strike in the union’s history.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-03-01/wga-cancels-los-angeles-awards-show-amid-labor-strike
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