WGA West President Meredith Stiehm Warns of Guild Contract Talks: ‘It Could Get a Little Rough’
variety.comCynthia Littleton Business Editor Meredith Stiehm, president of the WGA West, got right to the point in her remarks Sunday at the guild’s 2023 award ceremony.
With contract negotiations less than two weeks aways, Stiehm rallied the troops about the need for solidarity, and she emphasized the guild’s role as serving as the “good sheriff” helping to tame the Wild West for writers.
The guild, Stiehm told the crowd at the Fairmont Century Plaza, is “walking around like Gary Cooper — low key but watchful, vigilent and a little swagger.” The guild is “looking to keep the peace” but is devoted to enforcing the rules established by its contracts. “The guild says there are rules, there are laws,” she said referring to a fight that the WGA recently settled over $42 million in residual payments owed to guild members. “The guild with its superior stuff set that right and Netflix paid that $42 million,” she said. “We stand up to people who aren’t playing fair.
We’re not looking for a fight. But we’re not going to get rolled, either.” Stiehm took a deep breath and addressed the topic that was hovering over every conversation in the ballroom. “Negotiations are coming.
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