A Speech, A Call For Immediate Action And A Telethon Support Striking WGA And SAG-AFTRA Members

As the Writers Guild of America strike hits day 125 and the SAG-AFTRA strike is nearing its third month, many entities have offered their thoughts about the current status of the labor efforts.

Here’s a quick roundup of some that occurred within the past week:

In a message posted on X, the Writers Guild of America, East, pointed out that what the WGA has been asking for amounts to far less than these figures, at approximately $47 million.

• Just prior to the Labor Day holiday, WGA Negotiating committee co-chair Chris Keyser posted a nearly nine minute video message for members during which he stated that, “the only way through [the strike] is [for the AMPTP] to treat us fairly.”

“We are not on strike out of greed, nor to we begrudge the companies their success or deny their struggles, we all must succeed together, but the changes the companies have orchestrated in the business have made the profession of writing untenable for us and for everyone that who comes after us,” said Keyser.

After running through the issues related to the strike, Keyser added, ‘“There is not one of us who wants to be on strike one day longer than necessary,” while noting that the AMPTP’s resistance to negotiate has given the WGA, ‘the awful gift of endurance.’

Keyser wrapped up his speech by saying, “We have never been the companies’ enemies. We are not their enemies now. We are their creative partners first and foremost. This is our goal — to win a fair deal and be that again.”

• The Los Angeles Times reports that on August 30th California’s state treasurer, Fiona Ma, sent a scathing letter to Hollywood studio executives, urging them to resume “meaningful” contract talks with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, and end the strikes that have brought film and TV production to an abrupt halt.

Ma pointed out to the executives that the months-long strikes are having a devastating impact around the country, and causing “broad financial collateral damage” in California, while chastising the group for ‘failing to make any serious efforts to negotiate a fair deal.’

• In an online telethon, SiriusXM hosts Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, hosted a special edition of their Stars in the House series.

The series, created during the pandemic to support actors, pulled together an event featuring music and comedy to solicit funds for the entertainment community.

Co-hosted by Annette Bening, participants included Jean Smart, Jason Alexander, Sarah Silverman, Jon Cryer, Marilu Henner, Alec Mapa, Caroline Rhea, and Henry Winkler, among others.

The Entertainment Community Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.

Film and TV writers represented by the WGA have been on strike since May 2. Actors represented by SAG-AFTRA joined the picket line on July 14.

The WGA represents 11,500 writers nationwide, while SAG-AFTRA has 160,000 members.