Hello Writers,
This is the first of a series of weekly emails you will receive, written by one of us on the Negotiating Committee, as long as our Guild continues to be on strike.
First of all, thank you. For the 97.85% SAV. For understanding that there was no way we could accept this inadequate deal. And, for the energy you brought in protest last week. The picket lines in LA and New York were raucous and spirited. Great turnout, great (and funny!) signs, cars honking, whistles, pizza, donuts… even a mariachi band outside the Netflix building. Keep bringing it!
You are being seen and heard, and supported. We’ve had massive national and international news coverage. We have the pledged support of the international Writers Guilds, the local and U.S. Labor Movement; and local political and community leaders are in touch with the Guild, and monitoring our progress. Our picket lines have already shut down location shoots in NY and LA; the late night shows went dark on Tuesday, and the MTV Movie & TV Awards’ live show was cancelled because of our action. All in only four days on strike.
As for unity, I hope you went to the member meetings in LA and NY Wednesday night! Five hundred members came to Cooper Union’s Great Hall in NYC, and 2,000 writers showed up to the Shrine in LA, where we were joined by labor leaders from SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, LIUNA, IBEW, Plasterers & Cement Masons, and the Teamsters, who all stand with us in solidarity. This is unprecedented, and deeply powerful.
THIS WEEK: Hit the picket lines! The Strike Rules obligate all members to picket in support of the work action. Here is the schedule and locations.
WGAW members: You are asked to picket each week day, for a 4-hour shift or as otherwise directed by your strike captain or staff.
WGAE members: are asked to show up to the daily picket or action.
Members outside of LA or NYC: you will be advised soon of ways to support the strike, in addition to withholding your labor.
This action is about more than just our struggles as writers. It’s about workers and labor across our country. We have historic solidarity from our sister unions, because they are feeling starved out too. They see their struggle in our struggle. Corporate dominance is trying to drive us to the margins, toward a gig economy — and this union will not allow that. So go out there and fight, all week long — and know that we are all in this together. We have momentum like we’ve never had before. We are all laborers. We are union, and union strong.
In Solidarity,
Meredith Stiehm
President, WGAW