A+E Factual Studios Workers Win NLRB Election to Unionize with the Writers Guild of America East

NEW YORK (June 11, 2026) – Workers at A+E Factual Studios, the nonfiction television production arm of A&E Global Media, voted overwhelmingly to unionize with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) at Wednesday’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election. With the NLRB reporting 84 percent yes votes, the WGAE is proud to officially represent these freelance creative professionals for the purpose of collective bargaining.

A+E Factual Studios, co-owned by Disney and Hearst, produces popular series such as DANCE MOMS: A NEW ERA, THE PRISON CONFESSIONS OF GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD, HISTORY’S GREATEST MYSTERIES and COLD CASE FILES.

Michael Rauch, WGAE VP of Film/TV/Streaming said, “We’re thrilled to welcome workers at A+E Factual Studios to the Writers Guild of America East. We look forward to bargaining a fair first contract that reflects the value of their work, and continues to build on the momentum we’ve grown across nonfiction television production.”

In addition to A+E Factual Studios, the WGAE represents workers at nonfiction production companies ITV America, Jigsaw, Lucky 8, McGee Media, NBC News Studios (Peacock Productions), RadicalMedia, Sharp Entertainment, Story Syndicate and Vox Entertainment.

ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST

The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO, is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.

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