The 2023 WGA strike

 

    The term living wage seems to mean so many different things to people. It also seems that people making the most do not think lower earning people really need that much to survive. In a country that has become more of a pyramid scheme than a “dream”; labor unions have become an absolute necessity. It is no secret that if the boss or owner could get away with paying people room and board they would and have. The company store was not that long ago in our lustrous history.

    It is fair to say that without the unionization in America; companies would feel free to take far more liberties than they already do with how they compensate their workers for the company and profits the workers built. Again, the government has to step in to make sure company profits are dispersed enough through the work force to facilitate stimulation of the economy with requiring companies and corporations to provide minimal health care opportunities and compensation for their employees. Without unions in place to fight for workers rights beyond the minimum, the working class people of this country would be treated as indentured servants by the wealthy. Once a certain net wealth is reached, one no longer has to trouble themselves with the struggles of other people.

    Fortunately, the unions do exist and work to be a bigger voice for negotiating fair treatment of workers. Although, having to negotiate a fair and living wage should not have to be a thing if everyone could look out for thy fellow human; but I digress as it is.

     The Writer’s Guild of America is currently having to halt their work (which also means for most they have to survive through the strike with whatever holdings they may have had. Probably not much as that is why they are on strike.) due to Hollywood studios not wanting to pay them what they are asking for as well as actively seeking to reduce their importance in the industry into a temporary gig platform. Historically speaking, a group of artists that have the power to strike and have such a profound impact on the daily life of everyone is a rare occurrence. Generally speaking, most artists are so happy to be selling some of their work that not only will they adjust their prices to be more attractive; they are generally willing to make people something custom with no complaint. Why shouldn’t these people be paid a living wage for what they do?[1]

It has been interesting and encouraging to see the actors of Hollywood stand in solidarity with the writers. The actors that deliver the lines the writers craft understand that without the good writing the entertainment is not as good as it could be. With several actors also being members of the AWG themselves, some have stepped up to make sure that the writers on strike will still be paid while they try and reach an agreement with the studios and continue work.3   

The writers are attempting to reach an agreement on how they can get an increase in wages and benefits due to the advancements in media streaming and increasing demand to preform more work for less compensation and in poorer working conditions than they have been given in the past. With writing being such a crucial role in enjoying new shows, news, and movies, one would think they wouldn’t have to worry about the willingness of companies that makes so much money off of them to pay for their art.[2]     

Bibliography 

1.   1.   Caruso, Skyler. “Everything to Know about the Hollywood Writers Guild Strike, Including the TV Shows and Movies Affected.” Peoplemag, May 4, 2023. https://people.com/tv/hollywood-writers-guild-strike-everything-to-know/.

 

     2. Fitzgerald, Toni. “5 Critical Lessons from the Last Hollywood Writers’ Strike.” Forbes, May 3, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonifitzgerald/2023/05/02/5-critical-lessons-from-the-last-writers-strike/?sh=6d78b4771216.

 

3.     3.  “This Historic Writers’ Strike Matters for Everyone – Not Just Hollywood | Hamilton Nolan.” The Guardian, May 6, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/06/writers-strike-historic-importance-ai.

 


 

 

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