The Writers Guild of America West has just elected new leaders, and they’re stepping into a storm of challenges that could redefine the future of writing as a profession. Imagine standing on an iceberg that’s melting faster than you can type—that’s the reality writers face today. Michele Mulroney, running unopposed, was unsurprisingly elected as the new president on Tuesday, but the real story lies in the team joining her and the bold agenda they’re bringing to the table. Wednesday’s election results revealed a leadership focused on tackling the shrinking job market, with a particular emphasis on organizing beyond traditional boundaries and fighting the pervasive issue of ‘free work.’
Travis Donnelly and Peter Murrieta were elected as vice president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, in the election held from August 29 to September 23. Incumbents Adam Conover, Rob Forman, Maggie Levin, and Molly Nussbaum retained their seats on the board, joined by newcomers Marguerite MacIntyre, Matt Ross, Mike Royce, and Myles Warden. Since Donnelly still had a year left on his term, Cathryn Humphris was elected to fill that slot, bringing the total valid ballots cast to just over 2,500, supervised by Votenet Solutions.
But here’s where it gets controversial: several newly elected leaders are pushing the union to expand its reach into uncharted territories like YouTube, podcasts, and other emerging content creation platforms. Adam Conover campaigned solely on growing the union, while Mulroney bluntly stated, ‘We are sitting on a shrinking iceberg and must be willing to look beyond our current employers.’ This raises a critical question: Can traditional unions effectively adapt to the fast-evolving digital landscape, or are they destined to become relics of a bygone era?
Another hot-button issue is the relentless demand for writers to perform unpaid work, both during job auditions and even after completing assignments. The new leadership vows to combat this exploitative practice while also safeguarding the union’s health plan—a battle expected to dominate the 2026 contract negotiations with studios and streamers. And this is the part most people miss: the rise of generative AI poses a looming threat to writers’ livelihoods, and the union is committed to protecting its members from this disruptive force.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are also front and center, alongside improved contract enforcement and better communication within the union. Newly elected board member Myles Warden praised the guild’s use of social media during strikes, saying, ‘The guild did a wonderful job tapping into the power of social media to motivate us, clear up misinformation, and share powerful messages.’
As the new leadership takes the helm, the question remains: Can they steer the ship through these turbulent waters, or will writers be left adrift in a sea of uncertainty? What do you think—are these leaders up to the task, or is the industry moving too fast for any union to keep pace? Let us know in the comments!
