Meredith Stiehm has emerged victorious in her bid to remain as the President of WGA West, securing an impressive win as the organization’s strike enters its fifth month. Stiehm received an overwhelming 3,354 votes, while her competitor, Rich Talarico, managed a mere 300.
The positions of Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer were also retained by Michele Mulroney and Betsy Thomas, respectively. The recent board elections saw the reappointment of five incumbents and welcomed three new members.
Renowned for her work on series like “Cold Case” and “The Bridge,” Stiehm has been at the forefront of challenging agency packaging fees. She has specifically called out her former agency, CAA, alleging that they nearly matched her income through these contentious fees related to “Cold Case.”
In the midst of the ongoing strike, Stiehm has portrayed herself as a “wartime leader” and has expressed optimism about the union’s future strength. She has been actively advocating for a California legislative bill aimed at extending unemployment benefits to striking workers. If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, this could have a significant impact, starting at the beginning of the upcoming year.
A virtual candidate forum organized by the WGA recently saw a modest turnout, with approximately 200 attendees. Talarico, known for his work on “Key & Peele,” raised questions about the union’s effectiveness in handling online promotional content.
Another candidate, Jeffrey Thompson, although unsuccessful in his bid, pointed out that the election was marked by its lack of conflict, emphasizing the collective objective of securing better contracts for writers.
The board will continue to include returning members such as Adam Conover, Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Zoe Marshall, and Dante W. Harper. Additionally, newcomers Molly Nussbaum, Scott Alexander, and Rob Forman will join their ranks.
Negotiations between the WGA and opposing factions are set to resume this week after a one-month hiatus.
In a related development, Fran Drescher easily retained her position as President of SAG-AFTRA earlier in the month, indicating a broader trend of stability within entertainment unions.
The recent WGA elections underscore a unified stance as the organization prepares for another crucial round of discussions. Source
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