WGAE Continues Nonfiction Television Organizing Momentum with Contract Wins at Lucky 8 and Sharp Entertainment; Worker Summit Follows

 NEW YORK, NY (April 14, 2026)—Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) is continuing its organizing momentum in the nonfiction television industry with two new contract ratifications. Members at Lucky 8 unanimously ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with management, while members at Sharp Entertainment ratified their third collective bargaining agreement. Along with the new contract wins, the WGAE hosted a nonfiction television worker summit bringing together union leaders and production workers on Saturday, April 11.  

The Lucky 8 unit, which includes producers on shows such as THE FOOD THAT BUILT AMERICA, 60 DAYS IN, TO CATCH A SMUGGLER, LAKE OZARK LAW, and BOOKED: FIRST DAY IN, unanimously ratified a three-year contract that increases minimum rates, secures PTO and establishes fair working conditions. Further contract highlights include the right to disconnect (company will not require employees to respond to company communications outside the hours of 9am – 8pm or on days off unless it is marked as urgent), protections against Generative Artificial Intelligence, successorship language, rehire protections and more.  

Lucky 8 also joins WGAE shops Story Syndicate, McGee Media, Jigsaw Productions, NBC News Studios (Peacock Productions), Garden Slate Productions and Vox Entertainment as participating employers in the Entertainment Industry Benefit Plan (Flex Plan). The Flex Plan allows nonfiction workers to carry their health insurance coverage from gig to gig, even when unemployed or employed by a different employer.   

Members at Sharp Entertainment ratified a third collective bargaining agreement featuring new and enhanced benefits for the unit comprised of freelance producers and APs on shows like 90 DAY FIANCÉ and its related spin-offs. In addition to minimum rate increases, employees who work a minimum of 200 days receive an annual increase of 4%—an industry leading benefit. Further contract highlights include vacation payouts, weekly kit fees for field workers, and increases to the employer’s health care contribution.  

In addition to securing protections for workers at Lucky 8 and Sharp, the WGAE nonfiction television organizing team held a worker summit featuring panels, small-group discussions and networking opportunities. Nonfiction production workers from both unionized and non-unionized companies joined for updates on the state of the industry and the WGAE’s organizing strategy, and to share their thoughts on how union protections can improve their workplaces.  

Michael Rauch, WGAE VP of Film/TV/Streaming says “Nonfiction production workers are the backbone of some of the most-watched television. These newly-ratified contracts reflect what workers across the industry deserve — fair pay, real protections, and stability in an unpredictable work environment. Lucky 8’s first contract, and Sharp’s third, show that organizing works, and the energy we saw at this weekend’s summit makes clear that workers are ready to keep building. Nonfiction workers know their value, and the WGAE is here to help them fight for it. “ 

The Lucky 8 bargaining committee said, “The best shows come from strong teams, not just strong ideas. This contract acknowledges that the people doing the work are the backbone of the process. When you invest in the team, you elevate everything that ends up on screen.” 

The Sharp Entertainment bargaining committee said, “We are excited for our new three-year contract which rewards the producers who create the shows that make Sharp Entertainment a successful company.” 

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