Strike Week 2

Well, we're done with week 2 of the WGA strike. Here are a few observations from what I've seen as a strike captain and picketer so far.

The local community and fellow Hollywood labor unions (and many executives too!) have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. From all our neighbors donating coffee and food and honking for the picket lines, to LIUNA and IATSE and SAG picketing with us, to the unwavering Teamsters who have helped us shut down production after production -- it's been amazing, and heartening. It feels like union power is coalescing in a huge way. And we will return the favor when the time comes for our allies.

President Biden weighed in last night to say, "I sincerely hope... the writers are given a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible." So many labor struggles go unnoticed by the media and politicians. I'll admit, we're extremely lucky that people love to talk about Hollywood.

On the flip side, I have heard some folks - many in the media - discuss the writers' plight as a "smallest violin in the world" situation. While it's easy to assume Hollywood writers live in privilege, the majority of our guild - literally thousands of writers - are facing legitimately dire economic straits. We lose our healthcare, are forced to take second and third jobs, or leave Los Angeles as a result of the painfully gig-ified landscape caused by the abuses of the studios. This is truly no light matter for most of us on the picket lines day in and day out.

Who knows when the AMPTP will be willing to return to the table. Historically, the shortest strike was 100 days and the longest was over 5 months. Perhaps the relatively new players like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix believe they can outlast us. To them, I would say this: we were here first and we've done this many times before. We're the ones who write the stories, and we know how this story ends.

Thanks for your support!

In Solidarity,

EE

P.S. All are welcome to join in on the picket lines (LA + NY)! You can find the schedule here. Who knows, you might meet the writer of your favorite show or movie!