WGA, DGA, Teamsters, IATSE & Others Weigh In On SAG-AFTRA Walkout: “Greedy Studios Have Brought This Strike On Themselves”
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UPDATED: As SAG-AFTRA prepares to hit the picket lines Friday, other unions, guilds and groups are weighing in with messages of solidarity with the actors in their looming battle with the studios. Read some snippets here, and see their full statements below.
The Writers Guild, whose strike is in its 73rd day, said in a statement: “We stand solidly behind our union siblings in SAG-AFTRA as they begin their work stoppage. The last time both of our unions struck at the same time, actors and writers won landmark provisions that we all continue to benefit from today – residuals and pension and health funds.”
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Said the Directors Guild, which made a tentative agreement with the AMPTP on June 3 and its members ratified the contract on June 23: “We are proud to stand with actors and writers in their fight to win agreements that address their unique and important concerns, just as they supported us in our negotiations.”
IATSE president Matthew Loeb said in part Friday: “I am disturbed by the studios’ weak attempts to divide and conquer union members across our industry in recent days. The economic fallout for below-the-line crewmembers is real, but IATSE members know the studios were responsible for shutting down film and television production months before their negotiations with the writers and actors even started.”
The Producers Guild said in part: “We believe that fair compensation and essential benefits, including access to health care, are a critical concern and the inherent right of every individual working in this industry. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues.
RELATED: Teamsters, IATSE, Writers Guild & DGA Express Solidarity With SAG-AFTRA
The Teamsters’ language was a tad more colorful. Its reaction reads in part: “Greedy studios have brought this strike on themselves. These multibillion-dollar corporations — including Amazon, Netflix, Disney, and Apple — are only successful because of the hard work of union members.”
Here are the full statements of solidarity from other unions and groups. We will update this post as other reactions come in:
WGA Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board of Directors and WGAE Council
The AMPTP has proven unwilling to meet the justifiable demands of actors and writers at the bargaining table in 2023.
We stand solidly behind our union siblings in SAG-AFTRA as they begin their work stoppage. The last time both of our unions struck at the same time, actors and writers won landmark provisions that we all continue to benefit from today – residuals and pension and health funds.
SAG-AFTRA has supported the WGA from the start of our negotiations, joining our picket lines and rallies across the country every day writers have been on strike.
We pledge to fully support SAG-AFTRA as they strike to get the contract they deserve.
We will be back to you when there is anything of significance to report. Until then, we look forward to seeing you and our SAG-AFTRA union siblings out on the picket lines.
In solidarity with SAG-AFTRA
Matthew Loeb, International President of IATSE:
In the face of an industry-wide crisis, I want to unequivocally voice the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees’ stalwart support for striking entertainment workers in SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guilds. The Actors and Writers’ cause is reasonable and just, and is part of the same struggles of every worker whose labor powers America’s film and television industry.
The heartbeat of entertainment is the creativity and dedication of working people using their talents and skills to bring cherished stories to life. It is this very heartbeat the studios threaten to silence with reckless disregard for fairness and human artistry. The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Our industry is at a crossroads, and the actions taken now will affect the future of labor relations in Hollywood and beyond. The world and history are watching as entertainment workers once again take on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), an ensemble of media mega- corporations collectively worth trillions of dollars, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Netflix, Universal, Warner Brothers, and others.
I am disturbed by the studios’ weak attempts to divide and conquer union members across our industry in recent days. The economic fallout for below-the-line crewmembers is real, but IATSE members know the studios were responsible for shutting down film and television production months before their negotiations with the writers and actors even started.
Make no mistake — if the studios truly cared about the economic fallout of their pre-emptive work slowdown against below-the-line crewmembers, they could continue to pay crewmembers and fully fund their healthcare at any moment, as they did in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, grassroots groups of writers, actors, and directors like The Union Solidarity Coalition are stepping up to fund mutual aid that directly benefits our members, and I recognize them for organizing this much-needed support.
It’s plain as day who our allies are. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild kin. Their fight today foreshadows our fight tomorrow, and we must stand united until the studios acknowledge our collective worth, and the workers prevail.
DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter
“The Directors Guild of America is extremely disappointed that the AMPTP did not fairly and reasonably address the important issues raised by SAG-AFTRA in negotiations. During this critical and difficult time for our industry, the Directors Guild strongly supports the actors who will be on strike beginning tomorrow. We are proud to stand with actors and writers in their fight to win agreements that address their unique and important concerns, just as they supported us in our negotiations. And together, we are all in a shared fight for a vibrant, sustainable industry that fairly values all of our unique contributions.”
Producers Guild:
The Producers Guild of America stands with SAG-AFTRA as its members make the difficult decision to strike against the studios, companies, amd streamers that make up the AMPTP. As the second major union to take this bold step, our industry stands at a pivotal moment in time. The combined actions of SAG-AFTRA and the ongoing writers strike signify a monumental sacrifice by actors and writers, one that is aimed at driving meaningful change within our industry.
We believe that fair compensation and essential benefits, including access to health care, are a critical concern and the inherent right of every individual working in this industry. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and Motion Picture Division Director Lindsay Dougherty
“The Teamsters stand with SAG-AFTRA members in their fight for a fair contract.
“More than 180,000 SAG-AFTRA and WGA members are now on strike, demanding to be compensated and respected for their labor.
“Greedy studios have brought this strike on themselves. These multibillion-dollar corporations—including Amazon, Netflix, Disney, and Apple—are only successful because of the hard work of union members.
“Workers in this industry are united. They are demanding to be paid their fair share of the wealth they generate for the studios. Teamsters are proud to stand with them in this fight and will continue honoring picket lines.”
Jennifer Dorning, President of the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
“DPE and our coalition of professionals stand with SAG-AFTRA members going on strike. SAG-AFTRA members help bring to life TV shows, films, and other content that produce billions in profits for hugely successful studios. Performers, like all professionals, must be able to pursue family-supporting careers as their industry evolves with new technologies. DPE calls on the AMPTP to negotiate a contract that provides SAG-AFTRA members with a fair return on their work.
Solidarity with SAG-AFTRA members who join Writers Guild members in holding the line for a fair contract!”
Women in Film
“WIF stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and their members as they seek equitable compensation, sustainable working conditions, protection from generative AI, and access to affordable health care.”
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