Become a Signatory

Overview

You can find the application documents and other useful information in the Relevant Links section below.

A signatory company is an employer that has signed a collective bargaining agreement with WGA. Any company intending to employ a Guild member, or option or purchase literary material from a Guild member, must become signatory to the Guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement. Signatory companies range from the industry’s biggest film studios to independent production companies, and from large broadcast/cable/streaming news networks to online media and entertainment companies.

WGAE Film/TV/Streaming members can only work for companies that are signatory to Guild contracts. If you would like to work for an employer who is not a signatory, call the Guild and we’ll help you strategize to make that happen. Contact the Organizing Department at 212-767-7808.

If you are forming your own production company, contact us about making your company signatory to a Guild Agreement.  Contact the Signatories Department at 212-767-7837.

Working for a signatory company is always going to improve writers’ health and pension benefits and better their working conditions.

Signatory Application Procedures

A Company intending to employ, option or purchase literary material must be signatory prior to entering into an agreement with a Writer. In order to obtain signatory status, a company must complete the following steps:

Step 1.

Download and complete the signatory application (external – opens in a new window), or contact Rochelle Rubin, the Signatories Administrator, to request a signatory application via:

• Telephone: (212) 767-7837
• Fax: (212) 582-1909 (Attn: Signatories Department)
• Email: Signatories

Step 2.

Complete and sign the application then submit it with a draft of the writer’s contract. 

Please note these additional requirements for self-financed/-produced, Original New Media projects.

Return the application and all other required documents via mail to:

Signatories Department
Writers Guild of America, East, Inc.
250 Hudson Street
Suite 700
New York, NY 10013

Or via email to rrubin@wgaeast.org.

BE ADVISED:

The Signatories Department will review the application to determine if additional information and/or documents are needed (which may include various financial assurances). The Guild’s acceptance of your Company as a signatory may depend upon your properly executing all signatory documents.

If your company is not deemed an appropriate signatory, you will be notified. If the Guild accepts your Company as a signatory, you will be mailed a countersigned Letter of Adherence.

The Producer-WGA Pension and Health Plans will separately determine your Company’s status to the Trust Agreements.

ELECTRONIC/DIGITAL SIGNATURES ARE DISCOURAGED