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WGA Names John August and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel to Co-Chair 2026 Negotiating Committee

Talks are slated to open in early 2026 ahead of the May 1 contract deadline.

Overview

  • WGA West executive director Ellen Stutzman will again serve as chief negotiator after leading the 2023 talks.
  • The guild released a 29-member roster featuring writers like Mike Schur, Shawn Ryan and Tom Fontana, with WGA East and West officers serving ex officio.
  • Negotiations are expected to begin in the first months of 2026, the first bargaining cycle since the 148-day 2023 strike.
  • Employers will be represented by new AMPTP president Greg Hessinger, who succeeded longtime leader Carol Lombardini this year.
  • Pension and health-plan funding is flagged as a top priority, and the committee reflects turnover with only ten members returning from 2023 as prior co-chairs Chris Keyser and David Goodman step back.