Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a powerful statement by joining the picket line in front of Netflix’s Union Square offices in New York City on Monday. The picket line was organized by the Writers Guild, which has been on strike for nearly three months, and SAG-AFTRA, which just entered its second week of a work stoppage. Both unions are protesting against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the major studios and streamers in labor contract negotiations.
During her speech to the protestors, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the fight against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers was not just a fight against artificial intelligence but also against greed. She called for direct action and solidarity among workers, stating that their collective strength can overcome the endless desire for more profits from the major studios and streamers.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ocasio-Cortez discussed her takeaway from spending time with the strikers. She highlighted the strong energy and the sense of agency and power that the workers feel when they stand together. She emphasized the importance of balancing the power dynamics in the industry and in all industries to ensure fair treatment of workers.
When asked about her message for the struck companies, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the idea that workplace transformations should only benefit CEOs and shareholders while eroding workers’ wages and conditions. She emphasized the need for a fair distribution of benefits and the recognition that workers are instrumental in utilizing and creating from the technologies that drive the industry.
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Ocasio-Cortez also connected the Hollywood strikes to broader American labor issues. As a representative of a district in the largest city in the United States, she has witnessed the struggles of workers across various industries. She mentioned her recent interactions with UPS workers and Teamsters who are fighting for equal wages and dignified conditions. The landscape has dramatically changed, and more workers are realizing that withholding their labor is the only way to secure a better future for themselves and others.
In response to SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher’s comment about the studios being on the wrong side of history, Ocasio-Cortez wholeheartedly agreed. She criticized the concentration of benefits at the top and urged CEOs to understand that eroding the fabric of society will eventually have consequences for their own brands and profitability. She also highlighted the significant disparity between executive pay and worker wages, which undermines the credibility of CEOs’ claims of poverty.
Regarding the concern about an extended strike and its impact on crew members and other workers, Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged the valid concerns. She emphasized that unions and labor do not seek strikes but resort to them when they have no other choice. The desperation felt by the workers pushes them to take such actions.
In terms of the role of elected leaders in the strike, Ocasio-Cortez believed that elected leaders should respect workers’ requests and follow their lead. She mentioned that the workers’ message currently is to let them handle the negotiation process without unnecessary interference.
Overall, Ocasio-Cortez’s presence on the picket line and her support for the striking unions send a powerful message about the need for fair treatment, a balance of power, and respect for workers’ rights in the entertainment industry and beyond.
