John,

For the first time in over 60 years, Hollywood actors and writers are on strike at the same time. At the core of the strike is the greed of Hollywood studios making billions off of streaming services on which they pay low taxes and share relative pennies with actors and writers.

One actor, who appeared in 45 episodes of the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black, posted a TikTok video showing her royalties check of just $27.30.[1]

Writers and actors create on-screen fantasies, but it’s the CEOs of Hollywood studios who seem to be living in an economic fantasy world.

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently called the actors’ demands for fair pay “just not realistic” the very same week that Iger himself inked a contract extension worth tens of millions of dollars.[2][3] Just look at this recent tweet from Robert Reich, highlighting the outrageous pay of Hollywood executives:

Hollywood studios and CEOs are making huge profits while paying lower tax rates than everyday working people.

Write to the CEOs of Warner Brothers, Netflix, Amazon, and Disney―four of the top streaming services―and demand they come to the negotiating table and meet workers’ demands.

Actors and writers are trying to update basic labor agreements signed years ago with the studios―agreements that predate the streaming era and so don’t address the economic realities of the new Hollywood. As a result, both actors and writers are being grossly underpaid for shows and movies that are streamed by millions of viewers. And, their demand is simple: Set wages at the same level whether the project is for streaming or for broadcast.

While the talent behind our favorite TV shows and movies are being grossly underpaid, the studios themselves are raking in big bucks―profits made bigger by aggressive tax dodging. Americans for Tax Fairness research shows that, combined, Amazon, Disney, and Netflix raked in $123B in income over the last 5 years while paying an effective tax rate of just 7.6%. That’s roughly half the tax rate paid by everyday working people.

Write to the CEOs of Warner Brothers, Netflix, Amazon, and Disney and tell them to meet workers’ demands and allow actors and writers to get back to work, producing our favorite shows and movies.

Together, we’re holding greedy corporations accountable in our fight for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] “‘Can’t even afford a full tank of gas’: ‘Orange is the New Black’ actor says she only made $27.30 in residuals,” Daily Dot, Jul 17, 2023
[2] “Bob Iger’s ‘unrealistic’ SAG strike comments sends Twitter into frenzy,” Clutch Points, Jul 13, 2023
[3] “Disney CEO Bob Iger extends contract for an additional 2 years, through 2026,” CBS News, Jul 13, 2023