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WGA cancels Los Angeles awards show amid labor strike

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

Weeks before studio negotiations, the Writers Guild of America’s staff union goes on strike

The Writers Guild of America West’s own staff union is officially on strike. According to a release, the staff union called for an unfair labor practice strike on Tuesday afternoon, alleging management has shown no intention to come to an agreement on the pending contract. Among its accusations, the labor group also said that guild management has “surveilled workers for union activity, terminated union supporters, and engaged in bad faith surface bargaining.” Last month, the union first authorized a strike, with 82% of its members in favor. The staff union, made up of over 100 workers across legal, communications, residuals and other departments, was formed last spring and contract negotiations began in September. The bargaining has focused on concerns about the growth and use of artificial intelligence, pay raises and “basic protections” like grievance procedures. In a statement to The Times, WGA said it “respects the staff union’s right to strike, and will continue to bargain in good faith,” but said the union’s “allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit.” “During the course of 19 negotiating sessions since September, the Guild has offered the staff union comprehensive proposals with numerous union protections and improvements to compensation and working conditions,” wrote a WGA spokesperson. “We look forward to a resolution of a first contract with the staff union.” The Writers Guild made headlines in 2023 for the second-longest strike in the union’s history. At the time, film and TV writers were boycotting major studios and fighting for fair compensation. WGA West staffers also played a key role in the strike as they, too, joined the picket lines. A contract was settled after a 148-day work stoppage, but it’s set to expire on May 1. The strike comes as the WGA’s East and West Coast groups get ready to once again sit down with major movie studios and streaming companies. SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, began its negotiations last week, with WGA’s set to begin in mid-March. But for now, WGA’s staff union will be picketing outside of its Fairfax offices.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-02-17/writers-guild-of-americas-staff-union-calls-for-strike

Biden calls these ‘dark days’ as he urges Americans to ‘get back up’

Former President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to stay optimistic and not to check out in response to what he describes as attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump.

“Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than a dictator.”

Biden, 82, speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, addressed an audience in Boston on Sunday night after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

He emphasized that America depends on a presidency with limited power, a functioning Congress, and an autonomous judiciary. With the federal government facing its second-longest shutdown on record, Trump has used the funding lapse as a way to exercise new command over the government.

“Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” Biden said before predicting the country would “find our true compass again” and “emerge as we always have — stronger, wiser, more resilient, more just — so long as we keep the faith.”

Biden highlighted examples of people standing their ground against threats from the current administration, citing federal employees who resign in protest, as well as universities and comedians targeted by Trump.

“The late night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.

Biden also praised elected Republican officials who vote or openly go against the Trump administration.

“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between peril and possibility.”

He concluded his speech by urging people to “get back up.”

The Democrat left office in January after serving one term in the White House. Biden dropped his bid for reelection amid pressure following a disastrous debate against Trump and growing concerns about his age, health, and mental fitness.

Vice President Kamala Harris launched her bid immediately afterward but lost to Trump last November.

In May, Biden’s post-presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/biden-calls-dark-days-urges-americans-back-126890068