If members of the Writers Guild East and West decide to strike when the contract with AMPTP expires on May 1, they will do so with the support of SAG-AFTRA. The National Board today voted unanimously to pass the following resolution in support of WGA negotiations with the AMPTP:
“WHEREAS, history shows that fairness and equity to the workers who power the creativity of the entertainment industry has only been achieved through solidarity and the efforts of those workers working within their labor unions and guilds; and
WHEREAS, changes in the economics of the entertainment industry have worked to the great benefit of large corporate employers and in many cases to the detriment of the creators who make their businesses possible; and
WHEREAS, workers are stronger when they stand together united, and the unions that represent them are more powerful working and collaborating together; and
WHEREAS, after weeks of bargaining, it is time for the employers in our industry to step up and make meaningful changes to fairly compensate writers and to acknowledge their unique needs and concerns, along with the concerns shared by all artists and workers in the industry;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Board that SAG-AFTRA stands strongly in support and solidarity with the members of the Writers Guild of America who are engaged in contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. It is long past time for the studios, streamers, and other employers in the entertainment industry to remove roadblocks to fair and equitable wages and working conditions, and to agree to terms that reflect the unique worth and contribution of creative talent and workers, without whom the industry would not exist.”
The WGA, which represents around 11,500 film and television writers, and AMPTP have been negotiating since March 20. Little to no information about progress has been released. Neither party has spoken publicly.
The WGA is seeking higher compensation for writers. This includes:
higher wage floors across the board
standardizing fees for streaming and theatrical films
expanding span protection (which shields writers being compensated per episode from working for long periods on short-order series)
regulating mini rooms
instituting a mandatory two “steps” (points of payment) for feature writers.
The guild is additionally pushing for minimum television writing staff sizes and a minimum number of weeks of employment,THR reported in February.
If members of the Writers Guild East and West decide to strike when the contract with AMPTP expires on May 1, they will do so with the support of SAG-AFTRA. The National Board today voted unanimously to pass the following resolution in support of WGA negotiations with the AMPTP:
“WHEREAS, history shows that fairness and equity to the workers who power the creativity of the entertainment industry has only been achieved through solidarity and the efforts of those workers working within their labor unions and guilds; and
WHEREAS, changes in the economics of the entertainment industry have worked to the great benefit of large corporate employers and in many cases to the detriment of the creators who make their businesses possible; and
WHEREAS, workers are stronger when they stand together united, and the unions that represent them are more powerful working and collaborating together; and
WHEREAS, after weeks of bargaining, it is time for the employers in our industry to step up and make meaningful changes to fairly compensate writers and to acknowledge their unique needs and concerns, along with the concerns shared by all artists and workers in the industry;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Board that SAG-AFTRA stands strongly in support and solidarity with the members of the Writers Guild of America who are engaged in contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. It is long past time for the studios, streamers, and other employers in the entertainment industry to remove roadblocks to fair and equitable wages and working conditions, and to agree to terms that reflect the unique worth and contribution of creative talent and workers, without whom the industry would not exist.”
The WGA, which represents around 11,500 film and television writers, and AMPTP have been negotiating since March 20. Little to no information about progress has been released. Neither party has spoken publicly.
The WGA is seeking higher compensation for writers. This includes:
higher wage floors across the board
standardizing fees for streaming and theatrical films
expanding span protection (which shields writers being compensated per episode from working for long periods on short-order series)
regulating mini rooms
instituting a mandatory two “steps” (points of payment) for feature writers.
The guild is additionally pushing for minimum television writing staff sizes and a minimum number of weeks of employment,THR reported in February.
