This Is What Holidarity Looks Like

Dressed to party, WGAW members put a bow on 2024, enjoying a festive night of “holidarity” with their Guild siblings.

Nearly 700 members attended the annual holiday party at the Sunset Room in Hollywood on December 8 making the event the largest of its kind in Guild history.

WGAW members Gina Ippolito and Sal Calleros celebrate in style at the WGAW member holiday party. Photo by Brittany Woodside

“I’m so happy the holiday party is back,” said Kristine Huntley, a captain and 11-year member. “It’s so important after everything we have collectively been through to get together and celebrate the strength of our Guild.” 

“There was so much solidarity in 2023,” added WGAW Board Member Deric A. Hughes. “Anytime we can have a gathering to celebrate us as writers as part of this union, it’s good.”

Amidst plenty of food, drink, DJ’d music and dancing, party-goers caught up with friends and colleagues many of whom they had not seen since the 2023 picket lines. “We do so many things alone that it’s nice to hang with other writers, for sure,” said feature writer Steve Waverly. “I look forward to this.”

For other attendees, the party was their first union event since becoming Guild members. Wei Ling Chang joined the WGAW in September. Similarly, Kevin “K.P.” Sullivan joined the Guild in July. He had been active on the picket lines during the 2023 strike, and was happy to catch up with several people who were now his union siblings.

“I’ve been running into people that I knew previously in my career in media,” Sullivan said. “Not being a member during the strike, knowing that all of these people were out there for me, and reaping the benefits a few months later, I feel like there’s a sense of gratitude being around everyone who was fighting for people like me.”

Acknowledging that 2024 had been a challenging year for many writers, members said they were hopeful for a better job market in 2025. 

“The year has been slow, but you have to keep at it. I don’t know what else to do,” said Montserrat Luna-Ballantyne who became a WGAW member in March of 2023. “From talking to other people in my mentor group or friends, I know they’re getting meetings. So there is some stuff happening in development. I’m hopeful that things are starting to pick up.” 

Sam Berger affirmed that the Guild’s solidarity is abundant. Berger recently returned from the east coast where she participated in meetings resulting in an improved contract for PBS writers.

“The passion and the solidarity is real,” she said. “It’s stronger than ever.” 

Holidarity 2024 Photo Gallery
Click here to see photos from the December 8 WGAW member holiday party. Photos by Brittany Woodside and Kayley Nagle