Pat Reidy, along with over 1,000 SAG-AFTRA members and supporters, participated in a march and rally for striking actors in Chicago. Reidy held up a sign displaying a copy of his seven-cent residual check and wrote, “Strike!!! Because this suuucks.” This small check, along with another one for eight cents, came from his work on the show Max’s South Side.
Reidy expressed his frustration, stating that the cost of mailing the checks likely exceeded the amount he received. He emphasized that the actors came to the negotiating table in good faith but were now having to protest in the Chicago heat to have their voices heard. Reidy found the whole situation incredibly frustrating, stating, “We have to fight every step of the way.”
Not only were SAG-AFTRA members present at the rally, but other unions and labor representatives also showed their support. Representatives from the Writers Guild of America, the Teamsters, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and the Chicago Teachers Union all spoke in solidarity with the striking actors. Additionally, Sen. Robert Peters and Rep. Marcus Evans, chairmen of labor committees in the Illinois legislature, expressed their support for the cause.
Sen. Peters called on the producers to give the actors what they deserve, stating, “In the state of Illinois, we give millions of dollars to producers to make movies and TV in this state. They can give you a fucking contract. They can give you fucking healthcare. They can give you fucking good wages.” This statement was met with approval from the crowd as they chanted, “Fuck AI!”
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Amy Morton, a regular on the show Chicago PD, expressed her disappointment with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, stating that they had completely ignored the actors’ demands. She found their actions to be rude, stating, “Our demands have never been outrageous. So this is just really pissing me off.”
Sydney Charles, known for her appearances on Shameless and The Chi, spoke at the rally, emphasizing that the strike was not only for top-billed actors but for all individuals in the industry. She stated, “Our quality of life as laborers and artists is being threatened. We’re here for every person who has given themselves to the art of storytelling.”
Charles Gardner, president of SAG-AFTRA’s Chicago local, addressed the crowd and emphasized the importance of unity. He urged the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to return to the negotiation table, stating, “AMPTP, y’all better get it together. Get back to the table because Chicago is not having it. L.A. is not having it. New York is not having it. This country is not having it.”
The rally in Chicago highlighted the frustration and determination of the actors who are demanding fair treatment and compensation. They want to ensure that everyone in the industry, regardless of their position, receives the necessary healthcare and wages. The solidarity shown by various unions and labor representatives further emphasizes the widespread support for the strike.
Overall, this rally was an opportunity for actors to come together and express their discontent with the current state of the industry. Through their words and actions, they hope to bring about the necessary changes that will benefit all individuals involved in the art of storytelling.
