A resolution for the striking actors and writers was passed by the New York City Council’s Committee on Civil Service and Labor. The committee, after the hearing, voted unanimously in support of the resolution. The vote will go to the entire City Council on August 3rd.
The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May 2nd and SAG-AFTRA since July 14th against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Fran Dresher, the president of SAG-AFTRA, said to the committee, “My members want the same things for their children that the CEO’s making large fortunes want for theirs. We will not be stepped on and squeezed out of our livelihoods so they can look good to their shareholders.”
The executive director of the WGA, Lowell Peterson, said, “The companies’ refusal to bargain about our core proposals-proposals that would enable writers to build and sustain careers- is a threat to the whole industry and therefore to the economy of this city. We remain ready, willing, and able to negotiate- about all of the issues that need to be addressed.”
Council member, Carmen De La Rosa, stated that New York is a union city and a host to creatives. With inflation increasing, wages stagnant, and large companies making massive profits from millions of workers, it is time for change.
The next president of the WGA said that they are grateful to the leaders of New York City for listening and taking their demands seriously. Rebecca Damon, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director, said this is about livable wages, good working conditions, and unions fighting for a sustainable life.
New Yorkers make up 185,000 industry employees, contributing to 6.5% of the city’s annual total for domestic products.
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