In 2018, the Writers Guild began a campaign to renegotiate its agreement with the agencies, a contract which had last been updated in 1976.
What was initially described as a Code of Conduct formed the basis for the new Artists’ Manager Basic Agreement, or AMBA. In February 2021, the final agency signed this revised agreement, bringing the conflict to an end.
The WGA has an official timeline of the campaign, but for history’s sake I wanted to provide a more granular accounting of the meetings, events and turning points over the last three years. I’ve included links to news articles about events when available.
I was a member of the board and negotiating committee. Where I have meetings listed, these are ones I personally attended. There were others — both member meetings and negotiation sessions.
All the dates listed here are accurate to the best of my knowledge and notes.
March 10, 2018
Meeting with feature writers about AMBA
March 20, 2018
Meeting with feature writers at the Beverly Hilton about the AMBA
April 6, 2018
WGA sends ATA the 12-month notice to terminate the 43-year-old AMBA
Six Months Pass
November 12, 2018
Meeting with feature writers about MBA and AMBA issues
November 29, 2018
Meeting with feature writers about MBA and AMBA issues
— 2019 —
January 30, 2019
WGA showrunner meeting at Sheraton Universal
February 2, 2019
WGA captains meeting at WGA Theater
February 9, 2019
Big member meeting at WGA Theater
February 10, 2019
WGA feature writers meeting at my house
February 13, 2019
WGA member meeting at Sheraton Universal
February 19, 2019
WGA negotiation with ATA at SLS Hotel
March 3, 2019
WGA meeting with feature writers at my house
March 12, 2019
WGA negotiation with ATA at Beverly Hilton
March 14, 2019
WGA negotiation with ATA at Beverly Hilton
March 17, 2019
WGA member meeting at UCB
March 18, 2019
WGA negotiation with ATA at Beverly Hilton
March 21, 2019
WGA negotiation with ATA at Sofitel Hotel
March 23, 2019
770 showrunners (and feature writers) sign statement of support for AMBA campaign
March 27, 2019
Large WGA member meeting at Sheraton Universal
March 30, 2019
Large WGA member meeting at WGA Theater
March 31, 2019
95.3% of WGA members vote in support of implementing agency code of conduct.
April 6, 2019
The AMBA expires. WGA grants six-day extension for continued talks
April 13, 2019
WGA implements the Code of Conduct
April 14-19, 2019
A number of small agencies sign the Code
April 17, 2019
WGA and a group of individual writers file suit against WME, CAA, UTA, and ICM in Los Angeles Superior Court
April 22, 2019
More than 7,000 WGA members submit written agency termination letters
May 16, 2019
Verve signs WGA Code of Conduct. It’s a mid-size agency that was not part of the ATA.
June 19, 2019
WGA announces it will negotiate with individual agencies rather than the ATA
June 28, 2019
I sign at Verve
July 1, 2019
CAA sues WGA for antitrust in US District Court, joining ICM and WME
July 22, 2019
Kaplan Stahler agency signs with WGA. It’s the first mid-size agency to break from the ATA.
July 22, 2019
Phyllis Nagy, Craig Mazin and Nick Jones, Jr announced as rival WGA slate
July 24, 2019
Three Abrams agents leave to form new agency, sign with WGA
July 31, 2019
Craig Mazin quits race citing family medical issue
August 7, 2019
WGA member meeting at WGA Theater
August 8, 2019
WGA member meeting Sheraton Universal
August 10, 2019
WGA member meeting at WGA Theater
September 16, 2019
Goodman and current board members reelected 77% to 22%
September 26, 2019
Endeavor IPO nixed
October 4, 2019
WGA Says It’s Had “Negotiation Conversations” With “Major Agencies”
November 13, 2019
Abrams Artists Agency signs with WGA
November 18, 2019
Rothman Brecher agency signs with WGA
December 3, 2019
Judge declines Justice Department request to participate
— 2020 —
January 17, 2020
Gersh signs with WGA
January 21, 2020
APA signs with WGA
January 27, 2020
Innovative signs WGA
February 7, 2020
WGA votes 91% yes on pattern of demands for AMPTP negotiation
February 14, 2020
WGA Says It’s Had “Substantive Discussions” With All But One Of The Five Big Talent Agencies To End Stalemate
March 4, 2020
Large WGA member meeting at Sheraton Universal
March 11, 2020
WGA closes offices for COVID-19
March 20, 2020
Stay at Home Order in Los Angeles
March 23, 2020
Paradigm signs WGA agreement
April 27, 2020
Many of WGA antitrust claims shot down
July 1, 2020
WGA reaches deal with AMPTP for film and TV
July 2, 2020
Writers (including me) subpoenaed for the lawsuit by agencies
July 15, 2020
UTA signs with WGA. It’s the first big-four agency. UTA also drops its lawsuit against the WGA.
August 5, 2020
ICM signs with WGA. It’s the second big-four agency.
August 12, 2020
WGA vs CAA/WME trial pushed to Summer 2021
September 14, 2020
CAA announces it has signed a deal, WGA rejects the claim
September 20, 2020
CAA, UTA and WME agents form Range Media Partners
October 16, 2020
WGA lays out what CAA and WME need to do to reach agreement
November 17, 2020
Damon Lindelof signs at Range Media Partners
November 17, 2020
CAA announces it has placed wiip into a blind trust
December 16, 2020
CAA signs with WGA. It’s the second-biggest agency.
December 22, 2020
WME makes proposal to WGA, rejected
December 30, 2020
Judge denies WME’s request for preliminary injunction
— 2021 —
January 12, 2021
DGA sends letter to WME, siding with WGA
February 5, 2021
WME signs with WGA. It’s the largest and final major agency, ending the campaign.