Months into the combined writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood, the industry is facing a concerning rise in food insecurity among its workers. In an effort to provide support to those affected, hundreds of volunteer crew members gathered at the Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF) campus in Woodland Hills on Thursday to distribute food, household items, and personal care products.
The food distribution event, organized by crew unions IATSE and the Teamsters Local 399, along with MPTF, Labor Community Services, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Matthew 25 Ministries, aimed to assist approximately 1,000 households of Hollywood workers who have been financially impacted by the ongoing strikes. This was the second food drive organized by the crew unions in two months, reflecting the growing need for assistance as the strikes continue to impact the industry.
Mike Miller, the IATSE vice president and director of the motion picture and TV department, expressed his concern about the situation, stating, “I’m imploring our industry leaders and our studio heads to find a way to make the deals, to get us back to work because this is the ancillary damage.” He emphasized the devastating impact the strikes have had on IATSE, with 30 million hours of employment lost, resulting in $1.5 billion in lost wages and $300 million in lost benefits for crew members such as key grips, lighting technicians, and costume designers.
Bob Beitcher, the president and CEO of MPTF, echoed Miller’s sentiment, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the challenges faced by industry workers. He revealed that MPTF social workers have been receiving numerous requests for aid, with approximately 90% of recent requests being classified as “high acuity.” This classification indicates severe financial hardship, including the inability to pay rent, mortgages, or car payments.
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The event saw an overwhelming response from union members, with the organizers forced to set a cutoff number of 250 volunteers. Alison Taylor, a trustee of the executive board for Teamsters Local 399 and a location manager, shared her personal experience of being out of work since April, exhausting her emergency savings in the process. Despite the challenges, Taylor expressed her belief in solidarity and the labor movement, stating, “I remain positive because I understand the bigger picture of solidarity and people coming together.”
Another volunteer, Ashlin Santana, a Local 399 DOT admin, highlighted the impact of the strikes on her family members, revealing that five out of six of her family members in the industry were currently unemployed. Santana emphasized the importance of unions and the need for workers to come together during these difficult times.
Apart from providing canned and boxed food, produce, and personal care items such as diapers and soap, the organizers partnered with the L.A. Regional Food Bank to offer additional meat, produce, and dry goods. Peter Goldwyn, the president of Samuel Goldwyn Films, also donated $10,000 worth of diapers to help industry families in need.
During the event, volunteers and organizers noted the financial struggles facing Hollywood workers. Many had to carpool to save on gas expenses, while families expressed concerns about back-to-school costs for their children. Armando Olivas, the executive director of Labor Community Services, highlighted the difficult choices faced by workers, stating that they were grateful for the food assistance as it allowed them to allocate funds for essential items, such as medicine and children’s needs.
Duke Foster, a 30-year transportation coordinator, witnessed many familiar faces at the food drive, emphasizing the importance of the industry resolving the strikes. He believed that advertisers would not be willing to pay premium prices for reruns or shows that had not performed well, emphasizing the need for new content.
While there was hope for a resolution to the strikes, Bob Beitcher remained cautious, acknowledging the pessimism prevailing within the industry. As the Writers Guild of America responded to studios’ recent counteroffer, stating it was “neither nothing, nor nearly enough,” and with SAG-AFTRA yet to return to the bargaining table since their strike began in July, Beitcher called on industry leaders to work towards a resolution that would alleviate the financial burdens faced by entertainment workers.
Beitcher emphasized the crucial role crew members play in the industry, describing them as the “backbone” of the entertainment industry. Their work is essential in building sets, shooting scenes, providing transportation, and ensuring production runs smoothly. However, they are often among the lowest-paid members of the industry, leaving them ill-equipped to handle extended periods of unemployment.
As the strikes continue, the need for support and assistance within the industry will likely persist. Entertainment-focused nonprofits, such as MPTF, anticipate a prolonged period of need even after the strikes are resolved. The industry as a whole must come together to address the issues facing its workers and find solutions that prioritize their well-being.
