Over 5,000 writers and supporters flocked to the mid-Wilshire neighborhood of Los Angeles for the eighth week of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) labor stoppage. The “WGA Strong” rally, which aimed to rally support for the striking writers, featured powerful speeches, musical performances, and a march through the city.
The event kicked off with a march from Pan Pacific Park to the La Brea Tar Pits, with the writers wearing bright blue WGA shirts and holding signs with compelling messages. Joined by fellow union members from SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, and other entertainment organizations, the writers made their presence felt throughout the city.
Once at the Tar Pits, leaders from various labor organizations expressed their solidarity with the WGA and pledged support for their cause. SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that the fight was for everyone in the industry to ensure a sustainable livelihood for all. Former DGA president Thomas Schlamme urged entertainment companies to engage in negotiations with the WGA. Mike Miller, IATSE vp and director of the motion picture and television department, highlighted the need for a fair contract that recognizes the value each individual brings to the industry.
Lindsay Dougherty, the Teamsters Local 399 leader, delivered strong words, vowing to protect the writers from the studios and tech companies that seek to break them. Dougherty likened the AMPTP to an extinct species, signaling the determination of the labor movement to bring about change in the industry.
Related Post
The strike, which has seen 11,500 WGA members participate since May 2, focuses on issues such as the size and duration of writers’ rooms, streaming residuals, overall compensation, and regulation of artificial intelligence. Writers have been picketing daily outside production centers and targeting individual productions to gain support, leading to a slowdown of work in the industry.
Despite the toll the strike has taken on individuals, the union members remain committed to their cause. Joy Kecken, a writer, acknowledged the challenges but believed the proposals were sound and that a fair contract was within reach. Others, like DGA unit production manager Robin Winter-Young, face personal hardships, such as threats of eviction, but continue to advocate for industry-wide change.
Richard Gonzales, a DGA and SAG-AFTRA member, emphasized the need for transformation in the industry and recognized the strike as a crucial turning point. Screenwriter Alex McNally saw the rally as a pivotal moment that could catch the attention of the companies and demonstrate the united front of the writers.
James Tripp, a SAG-AFTRA member, viewed the event as a signal of the resurgence of the union movement in the country, declaring that enough is enough.
As the strike surpasses the 50-day mark, writers and supporters are determined to continue their fight for fair treatment and compensation. Through their rallies, pickets, and unwavering solidarity, they aim to bring about meaningful change in the industry and ensure a sustainable future for all entertainment professionals.
