Editorial photo credit: Ringo Chiu

Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions they have seen in a generation. The studios have taken advantage of the transition to streaming to underpay entertainment industry workers, including writers, in every area of work. That’s why, following the unanimous recommendation of the WGA Negotiating Committee, the Council of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), and the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, voted unanimously to call a strike effective 12:01a.m. Pacific Time this past Tuesday. Striking members along with hundreds of supporters gathered in huge crowds on picket lines in NYC and California starting Tuesday afternoon.

The decision was made following six weeks of negotiations with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony under the umbrella of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The WGA Negotiating Committee began this process intent on making a fair deal, but the studios’ responses have been wholly insufficient given the existential crisis writers are facing.

“The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing,” the union said in a statement. “From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a “day rate” in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership.”

The NYC Labor Movement stands with the 11,500 members who write and produce the TV shows and films that entertain the world, and union members from across the five boroughs have already turned out to support our striking brothers and sisters on the lines. Click here for a schedule of picketing dates and locations! Information can also be found in the Upcoming Events section below; please bear in mind that times and locations are subject to change and by RSVPing to events you’ll be able to receive any updates.

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  strike, Writers Guild of America