WGA East and Garden Slate Productions Reach Deal on First Union Contract

NEW YORK, NY (July 7, 2025) — Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at nonfiction production company Garden Slate Productions and management reached a deal on their first collective bargaining agreement. The contract was unanimously ratified by the approximately 30-member bargaining unit.  

The three-year contract covers many titles under production, along with rarely unionized positions such as Set PAs and Food Stylists.  

The WGAE and Garden Slate Productions reached groundbreaking rehire protection language that addresses the issue of frequent short-term employment contracts. First-of-its-kind language gives employees who worked the previous season first preference to return in following seasons. Former employees who haven’t worked in two years can also request to be considered for open seasons and their past service will be considered. 

Additional highlights from the contract include: 

• Fair minimum rates: 
  • Immediate raises for all Production Assistants;  
  • 2% increase to the minimum rates in Years 2 and 3;  
  • Minimum 1.5% across the board raises in Years 2 and 3; 
• Entertainment Industry Benefit Plan (Flex Plan): The company will make healthcare contributions on behalf of each employee per day worked, starting in September of this year. The Flex Plan allows Nonfiction workers to carry a health fund balance from gig to gig, even when unemployed or employed by a different employer; 
• 12 paid holidays and up to five paid sick days annually;  
  • Three paid bereavement days after four weeks worked.  

The Garden Slate Productions Bargaining committee said, “We’re so proud of our first contract, which among other wins for producers, art department and culinary workers, organized production assistants into the union and boosted their pay. The contract also establishes rehire protections for all members, which are sorely needed in a freelance industry. Our achievement is one part of a larger, industry-wide effort to win respect and sustainable conditions for the highly skilled and profitable work we all do.” 

Management at Garden Slate Productions said, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the WGAE that reflects our long-standing commitment to providing leading wages and benefits, as well as a collegial and supportive work environment, to our valued employees. We look forward to producing even more dynamic television programming in the years to come.” 

Garden Slate Productions, formerly BSTV Entertainment, is an award-winning entertainment development and production company that produces shows such as THE KITCHEN (Food Network). 

In addition to Garden Slate Productions, the WGAE includes members at nonfiction production companies A+E Factual Studios, ITV America, Jigsaw, Lion, Lucky 8, McGee Media, NBC News Service (f.k.a. Peacock), RadicalMedia, Sharp, 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. 

ABOUT GARDEN SLATE PRODUCTIONS 

Garden Slate Productions is an Emmy-nominated development, production, and post company specializing in lifestyle programming and branded entertainment. 

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