The Writers Guild of America doesn’t want to strike, but it will if it has to. That’s the thrust of the guild’s latest video featuring WGA West board member Raphael Bob-Waksberg discussing the gains the guild has made by standing firm
discussing the history of gains the guild has made by standing firm at the bargaining table – and by going on strike if all else fails.
“In a difficult negotiation, with a powerful group of companies, you don’t win gains by playing nice, or knowing the right people, or with an extra firm handshake,” Bob-Waksberg says. “No. What you’re able to win is directly tied to how much leverage you have. And just like when you’re negotiating your individual contract as a writer, our leverage as a union depends on our willingness to walk away from a bad deal.
“Think about what TV and film on the internet looks like now – try to hold it all in your head, every streaming show and movie,” he said, rattling off dozens of popular shows and movies. “Imagine if every one of these were made without WGA coverage. Half of all employment for current series writers is in streaming. Entire writing careers, the vast majority of my career, and I bet a good chunk of yours. Imagine if none of it was automatically protected under a guild contract.
“In that action, we showed our strength. And ten years later, we did it again. In the 2017 negotiations, the studios wanted to gut the guild’s health fund, cutting $10 million in the first year alone. This would have resulted in major cuts in benefits – guild members being kicked off their health plans, and across-the-board reductions in our salaries to pay for the difference. This was not a hypothetical worst-case scenario.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DGA Says It Supports WGA In Its Efforts To Achieve A “Fair & Reasonable” ContractThe Directors Guild said today that it supports the WGA in its ongoing negotiations for a new film and TV contract. The WGA’s contract expires on May 1, and the DGA will begin bargaining with…
Read more »
Coachella 2023: How Bob’s Dance Shop went from viral sensation to the festival stageBob’s Dance Shop joined electronic duo Sofi Tukker for a fun-filled set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Saturday, April 22.
Read more »
Rose Byrne just got a gloriously bouncy bob inspiring your next trip to the salonShe's said goodbye to her blonde balayage, too
Read more »
Breakingviews - Bob Iger’s stalling may be stiflingWalt Disney is making good on its promises. The $180 billion company run by Bob Iger is kicking off its second round of layoffs, according to Reuters, part of an effort to cut $5.5 billion in costs. That’s a solid effort to keep activist Nelson Peltz, who had griped about Disney’s margins, at bay for now. The tricky part is ensuring assets don’t lose even more value before Iger heads out the door.
Read more »
Zendaya Abandoned Her Bob for a Surprise Performance at CoachellaZendaya even ditched her bob for the occasion. 😍
Read more »
Ginnie Newhart, Wife of Bob Newhart, Dies at 82The couple recently celebrated their 60-year wedding anniversary, and that clever 'dream' ending for 'Newhart' was her idea.
Read more »