**Writers Guild of America Sweetens Offer to Staff Union Ahead of Negotiations with Major Studios** As the Nigerian entertainment industry continues to grow, the situation in Hollywood is getting more intense. The Writers Guild of America West (WGA West) has made a new offer to its 110-member staff union, which has been on strike since mid-February. The offer includes an additional $800,000 in wages for the first year, on top of a previous 3% raise given last August. However, the staff union, known as the Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU), has rejected this offer. The WGA West is set to negotiate with the major studios on a new Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) next week. If no deal is reached, the WGSU may picket outside the bargaining session, forcing the WGA Negotiating Committee to cross the picket line to negotiate on behalf of TV and film writers. The WGSU, which has been pressing for better wages and job protections, says that the WGA West executive director, Ellen Stutzman, has not attended the latest bargaining session. The union has urged her to return to the table and negotiate a fair contract. The WGSU's demands are not without merit. The represented workers earn less than $84,000 a year, which is less than a living wage in Los Angeles. In contrast, the WGA West spends about $9 million a year on salaries for the bargaining unit. The WGA West's latest offer includes a 4% raise in the first year, followed by 4% raises in August 2026 and August 2027. While this may seem like a significant increase, the WGSU argues that it is not enough to address the concerns of the staff union. As the situation in Hollywood continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether a deal will be reached before the negotiations with the major studios begin. If not, the WGSU's picket line may become a reality, and the WGA Negotiating Committee may have to cross it to negotiate on behalf of TV and film writers. In the Nigerian context, this situation highlights the importance of fair labor practices and the need for unions to advocate for their members' rights. As the entertainment industry in Nigeria continues to grow, it is essential for industry stakeholders to prioritize fair wages and working conditions for writers, actors, and other industry professionals.