The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has thrown its support behind a boycott of Santa Monica hotels affiliated with the American Film Market (AFM), a move initiated by the hospitality union Unite Here Local 11.
The labor dispute, which began simultaneously with the AFM, on October 31 and is scheduled to run through November 5, involves a demand for a “living wage” for union members, who are grappling with the challenges of rising inflation and soaring housing costs in Los Angeles.
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To draw attention to their cause, the union has held protests outside several AFM-affiliated hotels such as Le Meridian Delfina and the Viceroy, and urged market attendees to join the boycott.
Unite Here Local 11 has been conducting rolling strikes since the July 4th weekend, highlighting the urgency of its members’ financial struggles and their demands for better working conditions. They have also raised concerns about the use of unhoused refugees to replace workers during the strikes at hotels such as the Le Meridien Delfina, which is the new headquarters for the American Film Market.
The WGA, which recently concluded a historic strike lasting 148 days after signing a new deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), has now added its voice to the labor dispute by sending an open letter to Jean Prewitt, CEO of the Independent Film and Television Association (IFTA), the organization responsible for running AFM.
The Hollywood Reporter states that the WGA’s letter calls on AFM to honor the hotel boycott, stating, “As writers who recently went on strike for 148 days, we call on AFM to do the right thing by honoring the workers’ boycott. This means do not patronize, eat, gather, or sleep at these hotels until they have new contracts with living wages, and the unhoused refugees exploited by these hotels have the decent jobs and housing they need and deserve. Hotel workers will be picketing and likely be on strike at the hotels involved.” The letter is signed by Meredith Stiehm, president of the Writers Guild of America West, WGA West vice president Michele Mulroney, and secretary-treasurer Betsy Thomas.
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In response to the WGA’s call, Prewitt wrote a letter asserting that AFM is not a party to the labor dispute between Unite Here Local 11 and the hotels. She also stated that the AFM has no knowledge of the union’s allegations beyond what has been reported in the media.
She emphasized that the “cancellation or relocation” of the American Film Market is not a viable option, as it would severely impact the financial stability of IFTA, AFM, and the numerous global constituents involved in the event. She stressed that AFM is a vital event supporting the survival of the worldwide independent film industry, the local economy, and the livelihood of many residents and workers in the city.
As the labor dispute and boycott continue, it remains to be seen how this conflict will affect the American Film Market and its participants, as well as the ongoing negotiations between Unite Here Local 11 and the affected hotels. The support of the Writers Guild of America further underscores the significance of this issue within the entertainment industry.
For all of Reel 360 News’ coverage of the American Film Market, click here.
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