Writers Guild of America

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) are two independent American sister labor unions, each representing writers in film, television, radio, and online media:

• The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) is headquartered in New York City and is affiliated with the AFL-CIOnational trade union center
• The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is headquartered in Los Angeles and is unaffiliated with any larger national trade union.

While both organizations operate independently, each performs some common activities, including negotiating contracts, launching strike actions, maintaining the American database of writing credits, and arbitrating between writers when conflicts arise. Generally, writers initially join the East Guild if they are east of the Mississippi River, and those west of the river first join the West Guild. Members are not required to transfer between the two organizations if they relocate across the river.