Trending Now - WGA Secures Health Funding Boost Amid Ongoing Negotiations
WHO:
Variety - California Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas urged the Writers Guild of America to end the strike by its West local staff.
Deadline - Writers Guild of America East and West, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The Writers Guild of America disclosed that the new tentative contract contains a $321 million infusion into the union’s health plan, which is the largest-ever increase to this union benefit.
The Hollywood Reporter - The agreement raises minimum payments by 10.5 percent over the course of four years.
The Hollywood Reporter - The health fund contribution on reported earnings will increase by 3.25 percent in the first year and 0.5 percent in the second year, reaching 16.75 percent.
The Hollywood Reporter - Starting in 2027, active plan users will have monthly premiums of $75, and deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums will increase.
The Hollywood Reporter - The earnings threshold needed to qualify for coverage will increase from $46,759 to $53,773 starting in 2027.
The Hollywood Reporter - The agreement includes a new rule for TV writers that if/come deals cannot be exclusive until a company has paid the writer an initial fee.
The Hollywood Reporter - The term of the WGA’s tentative contract is four years, a departure from the traditional three-year term.
The Hollywood Reporter - The WGA West board and the WGA East council unanimously approved the agreement on April 5th, 2026.
The Hollywood Reporter - Union members will vote on whether to ratify the deal between April 16th and April 24th, 2026.
Variety - The Writers Guild of America West local staff has been on strike for 51 days as of April 6th, 2026.
Deadline - The Writers Guild of America revealed a new tentative agreement with studios and streamers.
Variety - The deal includes $321 million in health funding, which is described as a record sum.
Variety - Writers will be paying higher premiums for their health care as part of the agreement.
WHERE:
Deadline - The negotiations involve major studios and streamers in the television and film industry.
WHEN:
Variety - The letter from Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas was sent on Wednesday, April 6th, 2026.
Deadline - The details of the new tentative agreement were revealed on Wednesday, April 6th, 2026.
WHY:
Variety - Senator Smallwood-Cuevas stated, “Every day this strike continues is a day the Guild loses its strength.”
Deadline - The agreement aims to reestablish the solvency of the union health plan.
HOW:
Deadline - The Writers Guild of America secured the confidence of their boards of directors before revealing the details of the new tentative agreement.
Variety - The health plan changes are the centerpiece of the new deal between the Writers Guild of America and the studios.
(UPDATED April 9, 2026 11:17 UTC)
The Writers Guild of America has announced a new tentative contract that includes a historic $321 million boost to the union's health plan, marking the largest increase ever for this benefit. The agreement, which spans four years, also raises minimum payments by 10.5 percent and adjusts health fund contributions, with a gradual increase to 16.75 percent by the second year. Union members will have the opportunity to vote on ratifying the deal between April 16th and April 24th, following unanimous approval from the WGA West board and the WGA East council on Sunday.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 03:52 UTC)
California Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas has urged the Writers Guild of America to end the strike by its West local staff, which has now lasted for 51 days. In a letter sent on Wednesday, she emphasized that “every day this strike continues is a day the Guild loses its strength.” Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America has secured the confidence of their boards of directors before revealing the details of a new tentative agreement.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 01:22 UTC)
on Monday, the Writers Guild of America announced a new tentative agreement with major studios and streamers in the television and film industry. This deal includes a record $321 million in health funding, although writers will be paying higher premiums for their health care as part of the arrangement. The changes to the health plan are designed to help reestablish the solvency of the union health plan.