Writers Guild West Threatens Canceling Annual Awards Show Amid Internal Labor Strife

The Writers Guild of America West is threatening to cancel its glitzy annual awards show as its own staff continues to strike, alleging that management has committed unfair labor practices amid first contract negotiations.

The Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU), which has been picketing in front of the union’s headquarters for a week, alleged on Tuesday night that management for the writers’ union raised the possibility of scrapping the 2026 Writers Guild Awards in a recent call about contract negotiations.

“They told us they will not bargain with us any further, adding that if we do not take their broken last offer by this Friday, guild management will cancel the 2026 Writers Guild Awards,” the union wrote in an Instagram post. WGSU framed this move as an attempt to “drive a wedge between union staff and WGA membership.”

By contrast, the WGA West maintained that that it wanted to spare its members the choice of crossing a picket line to attend the ceremony. In labor circles, crossing a picket line, even that of another labor organization, represents a choice not to honor the position of striking workers and to potentially compromise their cause. If a picket line were erected in front of the Writers Guild Awards, that could dissuade nominees from attending the ceremony altogether.

“As a labor union, the WGAW would not ask our guests to cross a picket line to attend the awards show. While the WGAW staff have a right to strike, our exceptional nominees and honorees deserve an uncomplicated celebration of their achievements,” the union said in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday night.

The union added that if the event was canceled, tickets and sponsorship sales would be refunded and a different ceremony would be planned for the nominees.

The annual Writers Guild Awards is considered an important bellwether for the Academy Awards, indicating the films that professional writers themselves (many of them Academy voters) believe are worthy of celebration. This year, major contenders like Marty Supreme and Sinners are battling it out in the original screenplay category while awards favorites Hamnet and One Battle After Another have been nominated in the adapted screenplay category. To cancel the ceremony would be an indication of just how dramatic the battle between union management and its own staff has become.

The contentious negotiations not only threaten to compromise awards awards season, but also the WGA’s upcoming contract negotiations with studios and streamers. The WGA is expected to begin negotiations after SAG-AFTRA, which is currently at the bargaining table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

In its statement on Tuesday, the WGSU said that “we should be building unity ahead of MBA [Minimum Basic Agreemeent] negotiations with the AMPTP,” not internally squabbling amongst themselves.

Earlier on Tuesday, the WGSU held a “WGA Day of Solidarity” picket that encouraged WGA members to come to the union’s headquarters and support the striking workers. On social media, the union posted several pictures of members holding signs and raising fists in support of the union staffers.