The Writers Guild Staff Union used an inflatable rat to illustrate members’ frustration over stalled contract negotiations. (photo by Edwin Folven)

A giant inflatable rat stood outside the SAG-AFTA building on Wilshire Boulevard on March 16 as members of the Writers Guild Staff Union picketed on the sidewalk. 

The picketing occurred as Writers Guild of America leadership negotiated their own labor contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers inside the SAG-AFTRA building. The separate Writers Guild Staff Union, which is comprised of approximately 115 employees who provide support for the WGA West, has been on strike for four weeks. The employees are also picketing outside the WGA West headquarters at the southwest corner of Fairfax Avenue and Third Street. 

“We’ve been in bargaining since September and we want a contract,” said a Writers Guild Staff Union member who asked only to be identified as Bob. “The Writers Guild management is in there bargaining with AMPTP right now in talks, so we wanted to show up to make a statement. We are trying to keep the collective bargaining going to get an increase in the wage pay scale and general employee protections.” 

The WGA is in negotiations with the AMPTP ahead of the expiration of the current contract on May 1. The union is seeking greater protections from AI technologies and improved health care benefits. A request for comment from the WGA was not returned. Demonstrators from the Writers Guild Staff Union plan to continue picketing outside the SAG-AFTRA building while negotiations are occurring, and will continue walking the picket line outside the WGA West building until an agreement is reached on a contract.