As a seasoned cinema devotee who has witnessed countless strikes and union battles over the years, I can confidently say that Lisa Takeuchi Cullen‘s latest moves as WGAE president are nothing short of inspiring. Her focus on pushing for East-based writers’ rooms, combating unpaid development, and ensuring marginalized voices aren’t left behind, all while navigating the post-strike landscape, is a testament to her commitment and passion for the industry.
In a memo sent to members on Monday, which marked the one-year anniversary of the 148-day writers’ strike, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, president of Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), outlined the key focus areas for the East Coast division of the WGA at present.
According to Takeuchi Cullen, the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has set three main priorities following their recent election cycle:
In the aftermath of the 148-day strike within the film and television industry, Takeuchi Cullen penned a letter to members, which EbMaster acquired. The strike resulted in a revolutionary contract that addressed critical issues affecting our profession. Following this summer, we organized meetings with our members to hear their experiences and concerns from the past year. Members reported advantages such as increased script fees for staff writers, higher wages prior to greenlighting projects, and improved terms for streaming contracts (Appendix A). However, the majority of members expressed their primary concern as returning to work.
Elsewhere in the memo, Takeuchi Cullen told members that WGAE council reps recently met with the Department of Labor to discuss the ongoing slew of layoffs hitting the media and news industries “to shine light on this insidious trend and to push for policies protecting news workers.”
Read Takeuchi Cullen’s letter to members in full below.
Dear WGA East —
Exactly one year ago, the 2023 MBA strike concluded for us. With those significant advancements now established, your democratically elected WGA East Council has been diligently working towards improving and strengthening our union for everyone’s benefit. As a member-led organization, it is our volunteer leaders who shape crucial decisions, which our skilled team then executes. Following the completion of the elections and the installation of a new Council, I wanted to provide you with a brief update on some of our ongoing efforts.
We recently brought on board a new Executive Director, which is one of the crucial responsibilities of our elected leadership. Choosing the right person for this top executive position is no small feat. For half a year, our Council collaborated with an executive search firm to evaluate numerous outstanding candidates. Eventually, we selected Sam Wheeler, a seasoned labor lawyer and entertainment-union leader, who has a clear, strategic plan for WGAE’s future. Sam began his tenure in April. Have you had the chance to meet him? If not, feel free to connect with him at swheeler@wgaeast.org.
We’re currently navigating the aftermath of the 148-day strike in the movie and television industry. Our united effort during the strike led to a groundbreaking contract that tackles the critical issues facing our profession. This past summer, we organized meetings with members to discuss their experiences and concerns over the past year. Members reported seeing benefits from contract improvements such as script fees for staff writers, increased pay in pre-production rooms, and MBA terms for Appendix A in streaming services. However, many continue to express concern about returning to work. To address this issue, our immediate objectives are:
We established an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee following the historic achievement of securing the first AI protections for any labor union, as outlined in our 2023 MBA contract. This committee consists of representatives from all three sectors and meets monthly to monitor and study the impact of AI on our respective professions, and to develop practical strategies. Additionally, we are collaborating with our union partners to advocate for federal and state legislation. Would you like to join our AI expertise network? Feel free to contact me at lcullen@wgaeast.org.
We are protecting journalists. Corporate owners have ramped up efforts to weaken and even dissolve hard-fought contracts for our news members, particularly through mergers and acquisitions. We are fighting back with collective bargaining agreements that include strong provisions on severance and successorship. Council reps also met recently with top Department of Labor officials to shine light on this insidious trend and to push for policies protecting news workers.
As a dedicated advocate, I’m actively strategizing for the future. Last year, our council established a new Organizing Committee to evaluate, endorse, and set goals for our team to work towards. Our primary focus at the moment is on nonfiction TV and podcast industries. Internal organization within our existing establishments has become crucial in dealing with industry consolidation and downsizing; this approach helped us secure significant contract victories at Sesame Workshop, Crooked Media, iHeart Podcast Network, Civic News Company, and Pineapple Street Studios. In the upcoming year, we’ll engage in negotiations with PBS, Vox Media, Story Syndicate, WNET Thirteen, and other key players.
We are improving our office space. When our lease came up for renewal, a Council committee considered a move — but decided to remain in our current Hudson Street offices when our landlord offered unbeatable financial incentives that included renovation funds. Soon you will see more user-friendly member spaces and staff will enjoy a more efficient and modern workplace.
We are updating our technology. The office renovation will greatly improve our virtual member meetings and events. We are also in the process of overhauling our website and member databases for efficiency and security, as well as digitizing our outdated filing system. Film/TV members can soon expect the long-awaited roll-out of direct deposit for residual checks.
As a fellow movie enthusiast, I wholeheartedly encourage each of you to embrace the power that comes with being part of this union. Remember, your union isn’t just an institution or an office; it’s you, the members who make it what it is. Your input matters and helps shape our collective future. If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to share them with me ([lcullen@wgaeast.org](mailto:lcullen@wgaeast.org)) or reach out to your sector Vice President – Film & TV: Erica Saleh ([esaleh@wgaeast.org](mailto:esaleh@wgaeast.org)), Broadcast News: Beth Godvik ([bgodvik@wgaeast.org](mailto:bgodvik@wgaeast.org)), or Online Media: Sara David ([sdavid@wgaeast.org](mailto:sdavid@wgaeast.org)). We also have a Secretary-Treasurer, Chris Kyle ([ckyle@wgaeast.org](mailto:ckyle@wgaeast.org)), and the Council ([council@wgaeast.org](mailto:council@wgaeast.org)) who are always ready to listen.
I’m truly honored to belong to the dynamic and resilient WGA East union. Once again, thank you for your unwavering faith in us, your council, and our dedicated team.
In solidarity,
Lisa Takeuchi CullenPresident
Writers Guild of America East
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2024-09-23 18:20