WGA Strike Frequently Asked Questions
The following is intended to respond to some of the questions we have received and to help familiarize employees with their rights and options as members and non-members of the WGA. Please feel free to contact your own representatives or seek assistance or information directly from the federal National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB phone numbers in Los Angeles are 213-894-5200 and 310-235-7352.
How do I apply for "Financial Core" membership if I am not currently a member of the WGA? If you are not currently a member of the WGA, then you do not have to do anything to apply for financial core membership during a strike. You may simply choose to work, and the WGA will have no right to fine or discipline you. When the strike is over, you may have to pay the same periodic dues and initiation fees as full members of the WGA in order to continue working. When the strike does end, we will provide further information on how to tender those dues and fees, for those who choose to work as financial core members at that time.
As a showrunner, can I be fined for crossing a picket line to work on my show? The WGA "strike rules" specifically state that the Guild cannot and will not discipline or fine hyphenate members who come to work and only do non-writing duties.
As a hyphenate, I assume my employer expects me to perform my non-writing duties? We expect that all of our employees will live up to their contractual obligations and we will vigorously pursue legal remedies if the WGA unlawfully tries to interfere with their ability to do so.
Does resigning to “financial core” status eliminate my health coverage and other benefits? No. Not only would you retain your health benefits, but you would also retain your pension benefits.
Can I (as a WGA member) continue to work during a strike? Federal law guarantees that all non-supervisory members have the right not to strike as well as the right to strike. That is your own personal choice, and no one can force you to do something that you do not want to do. Some different rules may apply to supervisors.
Can the WGA fine me or impose other discipline if I work during the strike? If you are a full member of the WGA, the union may under some circumstances impose fines and other internal discipline in the event that you perform writing services during a strike. However, as explained below, you have the right to continue to work without the threat of fines if you resign your full membership with the WGA and become a “financial core” member.
What happens if I resign from the WGA? After you resign from the WGA, you will be considered a “financial core” member of the WGA, which means that your only obligation to the union is to pay uniform union dues and initiation fees during the term of the WGA Agreement. In that case, the WGA cannot fine or coerce you for working during a strike. Moreover, you will not lose any rights under the Minimum Basic Agreement, including residuals and pension and health benefits. The WGA must also continue to represent you fairly in bargaining and grievance handling whether or not you are a full WGA member. As a “financial core” member, you may not be able to engage in certain union activities such as attending union meetings and voting in union elections or ratifications.
Can the WGA prohibit me from resigning during a strike? No. The National Labor Relations Act provides that you may resign at any time by giving written notice to your union.
After a strike, can the WGA prevent me from working if I resigned? Absolutely not. The National Labor Relations Act guarantees that if you resign from the WGA and go to “financial core” status you have the right to continue to work and your only obligation will be to pay those union dues and initiation fees which are uniformly imposed on all workers during the term of the Minimum Basic Agreement.
How does someone resign from the WGA? The WGA Constitution provides the following procedure: “[The resignation must be] tendered in writing, signed by the member, and personally delivered to and receipted for by an officer or employee of the Guild or mailed by certified or registered mail to the Board of Directors.” (Article IV(F)). You should be aware that your resignation does not become effective until it is received by the union. It makes sense to keep a receipt for your records and protection.
If I am not a WGA member and write during a strike, am I banned from working in the WGA jurisdiction forever? WGA may deny, in the future, full membership to non-members who work during a strike. However, they may not deny “financial core” membership. As a member who went “financial core,” you are entitled to all the benefits of the collective bargaining agreement, including the exact same WGA representation in any grievance and the exact same pension and health plan rights. Also, as a “financial core” member, the WGA cannot fine or coerce you for working during a strike.
Further answers to relevant questions will be added to this FAQ as they arise. If you have further questions, you may submit them anonymously by filling out the form below. Please do not submit any literary material.