The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially announced the team leading its upcoming contract negotiations — the union’s first major talks with studios and streamers since its landmark 2023 strike.
Once again at the helm is Ellen Stutzman, WGA West’s executive director, who guided the Guild through its 148-day work stoppage two years ago. Stutzman, who stepped into the chief negotiator role following David Young’s medical leave, was widely credited with securing the WGA’s first-ever AI safeguards and a new success-based streaming bonus.
Joining her as co-chairs of the 2026 negotiating committee are John August, the Aladdin and Big Fish screenwriter and Scriptnotes podcast co-host, and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, creator and showrunner of Survival of the Thickest. Both veterans of the 2023 negotiations, August and Sanchez-Witzel will help guide strategy as the Guild enters another high-stakes round of bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The 2026 negotiating committee includes a broad cross-section of film and television writers, among them Ali Barthwell, Yahlin Chang, Stan Chervin, Larry J. Cohen, Josh Gondelman, Phil Hay, Erica Haywood, Chris Hazzard, Melissa London Hilfers, Christopher Kyle, Molly Nussbaum, Luvh Rakhe, Shawn Ryan, Betsy Thomas, Danny Tolli, Erica Saleh, Mike Schur, Cat Vasko, Ben Watkins, Kat Wood, and Lisa Zwerling.
Also joining the committee are the top elected leaders from both branches of the Guild: WGA West president Michele Mulroney, vice president Travis Donnelly, and secretary-treasurer Peter Murrieta; as well as WGA East president Tom Fontana, vice president of film, television and streaming Michael Rauch, and secretary-treasurer Sasha Stewart.
The union is expected to focus on strengthening its health plan and expanding protections against artificial intelligence in the 2026 talks. Across the table, the AMPTP will have a new lead negotiator, Greg Hessinger, who succeeded longtime president Carol Lombardini in April.
With memories of the 2023 strike still fresh, both sides are preparing for another pivotal test of Hollywood’s labor future.
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