Thousands of union members gathered on Tuesday outside Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., for a National Day of Solidarity rally organized by SAG-AFTRA. The event, which drew speakers such as Kerry Washington, Martin Sheen, and Ron Perlman, as well as labor leaders Lindsay Dougherty, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Joely Fisher, aimed to show support for ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, as well as solidarity for those whose contracts are up in 2024.
The crowd, estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 by Burbank police officers, braved scorching temperatures as they listened to passionate speeches from union members. Fisher, SAG-AFTRA’s secretary treasurer, delivered the opening remarks, channeling her late half-sister Carrie Fisher and urging union members to resist the “evil empire” that threatened their jobs. She emphasized the need to address low wages, unsafe work conditions, dehumanizing technology, and the devaluation of their work.
The event took place on the 113th day of the WGA strike and the 40th day of the SAG-AFTRA strike. While the two guilds share some common ground, such as protections against the use of artificial intelligence, negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have been slow. The AMPTP offered the WGA a pattern deal that the Directors Guild of America received earlier in the summer. The WGA is also pushing for writer-specific protections, while SAG-AFTRA is seeking limits on self-tape auditions.
Speakers at the rally included Martin Sheen, who invoked his character President Jed Bartlet from “The West Wing” and encouraged union members to stand firm in their quest for new Minimum Basic Agreements with the AMPTP. Sheen was joined by other cast members from “The West Wing,” including Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Allison Janney, Dulé Hill, and Josh Malina. The show was held up as an example of a successful broadcast model that has been disrupted by the streaming era.
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Kerry Washington, known for her role as Olivia Pope in “Scandal,” delivered an impassioned speech about the need for fair wages and working conditions. She highlighted the role of unions in providing actors with a fair living and called for solidarity among all workers. She also emphasized the dangers of artificial intelligence in Hollywood and urged union members to be the heroes of their own stories.
Ron Perlman addressed the issue of corporate mergers, accusing studios and streamers of prioritizing Wall Street over the interests of guilds. He criticized the gaslighting tactics used by the AMPTP to make union members feel small and replaceable. Perlman rejected the notion that the industry is losing money and blamed the flawed business models created by studios.
The event also featured speeches from other labor leaders, including Liz Alper from the WGA and Paris Barclay from the Director’s Guild of America. They highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as the use of AI and the impact of streaming on traditional business models. Lindsay Dougherty, head of Local 399, called for tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Netflix to be held accountable for disrupting the industry.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, emphasized the unity among all guilds and pre-union workers. He mentioned the overwhelming support for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA in recent polling data and reassured attendees that every strategy was being employed to secure a fair contract for all involved.
The rally concluded with a powerful rendition of “Do You Hear the People Sing” from Les Misérables, led by Joely Fisher. The event served as a reminder of the strength and determination of union members in fighting for fair treatment and better working conditions in the entertainment industry. As the strike continues, the hope is that these collective efforts will bring about positive change for all workers involved.
