```html WGA Gears Up for 2026 Negotiations Amid Industry Downturn, Focus Shifts to Health Plan and Streaming

As Hollywood grapples with a significant contraction in writing jobs, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) West is preparing for its 2026 contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The upcoming talks will be the first since the historic five-month strike of 2023, and the guild's priorities are beginning to crystallize around bolstering its health plan and addressing the evolving landscape of content creation, particularly on platforms like YouTube.

Shrinking Workforce Drives Urgency

The decline in working writers is stark. According to WGA West data, only 5,228 TV and film writers reported income last year, marking the lowest figure since 2013. This represents a dramatic reversal from the peak of "Peak TV" in 2022, when nearly 7,000 writers were employed. This contraction is a key factor shaping the WGA West election currently underway and influencing the guild's negotiation strategy.

"It's a very scary time," says Jeff Thompson, a candidate for vice president. "I know very few people who are in the industry who feel any sense of security."

Health Plan Stability a Top Priority

Maintaining the stability of the WGA's health and pension plans is expected to be a central focus of the negotiations. This issue was last prioritized in 2017, but the current industry climate necessitates renewed attention. Michele Mulroney, running unopposed for president of WGA West, emphasized the need for "smart moves" to ensure the continued provision of high-quality care and benefits for members, citing rapidly rising healthcare costs and reduced contributions due to industry contraction.

Organizing YouTube Creators: A New Frontier

Recognizing the shift in audience consumption habits, the WGA is also turning its attention to organizing writers working on YouTube shows and other digital platforms. This initiative aims to extend union protections to creators in the burgeoning digital space, ensuring fair compensation and working conditions.

Dahéli Hall, a candidate for the board, highlights the growing number of non-union writers in the podcast and YouTube space. "Let's find a nuanced way to have people become partners and be protected as a union," she urges.

Expert Perspective: The Evolving Definition of "Writer"

Dr. Amanda Lotz, Professor of Media Studies at the University of Michigan and author of "Portals: A History of Online Video Platforms," notes that the WGA's move to organize YouTube creators reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry. "The traditional boundaries between amateur and professional content creation are increasingly blurred," she says. "The WGA's efforts to organize writers on platforms like YouTube are crucial for ensuring that these creators receive fair compensation and benefits, and that the quality of content remains high."

Addressing Lingering Strike Issues

The upcoming negotiations are also expected to revisit key issues from the 2023 strike, including artificial intelligence (AI), residuals, and minimum staffing levels in television writers' rooms. While the previous agreement established minimum room sizes, the guild may seek to increase these numbers in the next round.

"It's great we got a minimum room size out of the last negotiation," says Peter Murrieta, a candidate for secretary-treasurer. "People are talking about, 'Has it become a floor, or is it the ceiling?' Let's get some data and find out."

The "Free Work" Problem

The slowdown in production has exacerbated the issue of writers spending significant time developing ideas that ultimately go nowhere, leaving them unpaid. This problem, long a concern for feature writers, is now increasingly affecting TV writers as well.

Van Robichaux, also running for secretary-treasurer, anticipates a challenging negotiation and expresses concern over a perceived lack of communication from the WGA leadership since the strike ended. He suggests that the guild missed an opportunity to channel the energy from the strike into a positive direction and to keep members informed about the industry slowdown.

Historical Context: The WGA and Labor Disputes

The WGA's history is marked by numerous labor disputes, reflecting its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its members. The 1988 strike, for example, focused on residuals for television writers, while the 2007-2008 strike addressed issues related to new media. The 2023 strike, with its focus on streaming residuals and AI, continues this legacy of fighting for writers' economic and creative well-being in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.

Potential for Another Strike?

While neither the companies nor the writers are eager for another strike, Robichaux suggests that another strike authorization vote is not out of the question. "The solidarity is still strong," he says. "There's an understanding in the membership that standing together did get us gains in the last strike on things that really did matter. People will stick together again."

Internal Divisions

The WGA also faces internal challenges, including concerns raised by some candidates regarding disciplinary actions taken against writers earlier this year for alleged strike rule violations and controversial social media posts. These actions have sparked debate about the guild's handling of internal disputes and the balance between upholding solidarity and protecting individual rights.

"It made me uncomfortable to see us divided internally by that particular issue," says Kevin Miller, a candidate for the board. "I don't know that it was handled in the best way possible." ```