What are your favorite TV shows right now? For Alexandria, the answer is “Severance” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Well, in case you missed it: this past Tuesday, all the writers of your favorite TV shows and movies went on strike to demand better treatment from Hollywood production studios.
The Writers Guild of America last went on strike in 2007 – for 100 days – to secure fair wages as studio profit increased dramatically.
16 years later, the situation is similar: production budgets have sharply increased, while pay for writers has declined by 4% over the past decade — 23% when adjusted for inflation. In terms of contracts, roughly 50% of writers are paid at the legal minimum, compared to 33% a decade ago. 1
And the writers most impacted by declining pay? Are often people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA community. All of this is happening while eight Hollywood CEOs pocketed $773 million between them in 2022 alone.
Here’s how you can support the striking Writers Guild of America workers today:
💪 Donate funds for snacks to strikers in LA. DSA Los Angeles has launched The Snacklist to support striking WGA members with food. All funds will be used to support future labor actions in LA with snacks.
💪 Join writers at the picket line. Take a look at the Strike Schedule and stand in solidarity with signs, snacks, and energy as WGA members advocate for themselves.
💪 Donate to the Entertainment Community Fund. Formerly The Actors Fund, the ECF’s emergency financial assistance program offers emergency financial assistance to support performing arts workers who are unable to pay their basic living expenses. This includes housing, food, utility bills and healthcare.
💪 Amplify the WGA’s message on social media. The Guild has put together a social media toolkit to share information and solidarity, if you aren’t able to donate.
💪 Don’t cross the picket line. You may start to see online calls for ‘pitch contests’ or ‘fan casting’ – avoid them! These can sometimes be ways for studios or producers to crowdsource ideas from the public for free and circumvent the union.
The courage it takes to strike for better treatment in the workplace is profound.
Alexandria and Team AOC stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America.
Pa’lante,
Team AOC
1 - The Nation
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