Jurisdiction

The Guild represents a range of professional writers.

Our members are the creators of much of what is seen on television and in film, as well as a growing number of web series and online media outlets.

Our members are covered by one of three primary types of Guild contracts based on their field of work:

I. Film/TV/Streaming contracts and the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA)

Film/TV/Streaming members work in the film and television industries, and in the entertainment industry more broadly. Each employer of Film/TV/Streaming sector members is a signatory to the same contract—the Minimum Basic Agreement (“MBA”), which is renegotiated every four years—or, in some cases, is a signatory to one of several truncated versions of the MBA.

These members work under what are known as Film/TV/Streaming contracts in the following areas:

• Animation
• Children’s television
• Daytime drama
• New media (e.g. web series, videogames, etc.)
• Documentaries—film and television
• Film
• Nonfiction
• Podcasts (both fiction and nonfiction)
• Television comedy/variety
• Television episodic comedy and drama

Hyphenates & writer-owned production companies

Some of our members are also “hyphenates,” who take on a number of different roles. These include writer-directors, writer-producers, and writer-director-producers. A few of our members, mostly in the new media realm, own their own independent production companies, which are signatory to the MBA. Once their production company becomes a signatory, the writer joins the Guild as a member.

II. Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News contracts

Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News contracts cover workplaces where members all work in one location, or “shop,” where the material they create is distributed via radio or television — such as radio/television news broadcasting and public television stations. Employers of Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News members are signatories to shop-specific collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

Positions in Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News sector contracts can include, but are not limited to:

• Assignment Editors
• Assistant Producers
• Associate Producers
• Graphic Artists
• News Desk Assistants
• News Desk Associates
• News Editors
• News writers
• On-air Promotion Writers
• Production Assistants
• Reporters
• Researchers
• Service Aides

III. Online Media contracts

Online Media contracts cover workplaces where members all work in one location, or “shop,” where the material they create is distributed in a digital-first model. Employers of Online Media members are signatories to shop-specific collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

Positions in Online Media sector contracts cover a range of titles that vary from shop to shop, including (but not limited to):

• Writers
• Reporters
• Editors
• Copy Editors
• Video Producers
• Animators
• Social Media Producers
• Graphic Designers

The path to Guild membership works differently depending the sector in which a person works. Fundamentally, though, the demand of any group of workers forming a union is the same – to win a formal seat at the table in order to negotiate over the future of their workplace. Each group decides what to advocate for at the bargaining table as a union.