Writers Guild of America West sees rise in attrition amid 2021 employment and income decline

While writers’ employment and income declined in 2021, the Writers Guild of America West saw an increase in film and television membership retention.

According to WGA West’s latest annual financial report released on June 29, guild members earned an “all-time high” of $493.6 million in 2021, representing a 5.4% increase over to 2020. 4.7% and tape waste is increasing by 6.9%. New media was the “largest category of waste”, according to the association, accounting for about 45.2% of waste in 2021, an increase of 8.5% from 2020. On television, new media of waste increased. 31.7% over the previous year, while cinema increased. 27.1 percent.

Overall, writers’ earnings and employment declined for the year as the report said “the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continued into 2021.” During the year, 5,900 writers reported working for the guild, down 6.1% from a year ago, and writers’ earnings totaled $1.55 billion, down 7.7% from a year ago. . (At the start of the pandemic in 2020, writers’ income and employment also dropped by 5.5% and 4.4%, respectively, compared to 2019.)

News, promotions, information and interactive programming writers reported the biggest declines in employment, with jobs down 21.6% from 2020 (earnings down 5.2%). Writing jobs decreased 6.8%, revenue decreased 13.3%. TV and digital writers saw 5.1% fewer hires and a 5.5% decline in overall compensation.

Overall, during fiscal year 2022 (ending March 31, 2022), the guild’s total revenue decreased year-over-year to $38.9 million from $46.1 million in the previous year. “The decrease in total income was driven by the weakness of the capital markets, which resulted in an unrealized investment loss of $0.2 million, compared to a gain of $8.8 million in the past year”, says report it. The syndicate’s total net assets for the fiscal year were $92.2 million and the operating surplus was $4.5 million.

The union also kept costs in check for fiscal 2022, spending $34.4 million compared to $36.2 million in the previous fiscal year, which the organization says was the result of the end of a campaign against agency package fees, cutting union staff. Events during the COVID-19 pandemic and a host of unfulfilled employee duties. At the same time, membership dues revenue increased to $33.4 million, compared to $31.4 million in the previous fiscal year.

“While union management during the pandemic has undoubtedly presented challenges, the union’s overall financial position remains strong as we approach negotiations for the 2023 MBA,” the report reads.

The guild, which elected a new leader in 2021, longtime member Meredith Stiehm (motherland bridge), is gearing up for its latest board election, with 18 starting candidates vying for the eight available seats. The voting period will start on August 31st and end on September 20th.