WGA-Nominated Writers David Koepp and Ronald Bronstein Discuss Why Healthcare Should Be the Writers Union’s Main Focus
March marks a critical time for the Writers Guild of America (WGA) as union leaders prepare to negotiate a new multi-year contract with major Hollywood studios. This pivotal discussion is set to take place shortly after the WGA honors its members at the 78th annual Writers Guild Awards on March 8.
During a recent conversation, renowned writer Koepp highlighted the urgent need for improvements to the WGA’s health and pension funds as a top priority. “Healthcare in the United States is a nightmare. When you have a robustly funded health fund, you’re in a position of much greater negotiating strength than when you don’t,” he stated. He emphasized that underfunding in healthcare undermines the union’s negotiating power across all fronts.
While writer Creggers refrained from commenting on the matter, Bronstein echoed Koepp’s concerns regarding healthcare. He shared his personal experience: “There’s no way to be productive if you feel instability on that level. I was a projectionist for many years… I needed health insurance. It wasn’t until I was able to lock in another way to get health insurance that I was able to get out of this projection booth.”
Bronstein criticized the idea of extending the contract for an additional two years, stating, “I don’t think it’s worth giving up another two years of contract for. That’s an idea management had. I think that really matters.” He pointed out that these concerns impact all writers, regardless of their specific medium.
As the WGA prepares for negotiations, union officials have remained relatively silent on their specific priorities for 2026. However, they are hosting a series of member meetings this month to discuss key issues before finalizing their official positions.
Concerns regarding healthcare have already been addressed by leaders from both the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and SAG-AFTRA. DGA President Christopher Nolan remarked, “the employers are going to have to raise their contributions. That’s just a fact of life. Health care costs have gone up enormously in this country.”
As negotiations progress, SAG-AFTRA is currently in discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The WGA plans to begin joint talks on March 16, while the Directors Guild will enter negotiations in May. The current WGA contract expires on May 1, while the deadlines for SAG-AFTRA and the DGA are set for June 30.
