500 signatures reached
To: Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, Sony
Add Your Name: Support the Writers Guild of America Strike! #WGAStrike
Wealthy entertainment executives are devaluing writers across the economic spectrum while Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony make massive profits.
The current business model is not sustainable as the practices of the streaming companies have destabilized the industry—that’s why 11,500 workers are on strike demanding a new contract which must include fair pay and protections for writing to be a sustainable profession.
Add your name to support the Writers Guild of America.
Why is this important?
President Biden said, “I sincerely hope that the writers’ strike in Hollywood gets resolved—and the writers are given the fair deal they deserve—as soon as possible. This is an iconic, meaningful American industry. And we need the writers, and all the workers, and everyone involved to tell the stories of our nation.”
Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony, acting under the umbrella of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), are refusing to treat writers with dignity and respect.
In a letter to its members, the Writers Guild of America’s Negotiating Committee wrote that “From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a "day rate" in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession.”
The impact of the companies' greed is not just causing harm to these workers, it is limiting the stories that come from the communities we need to hear from most. As the industry’s business model becomes unsustainable for emerging writers there will potentially be fewer stories penned by historically marginalized communities. The lack of representation impacts us all —and it’s especially jarring given right-wing attacks on sharing diverse stories in classrooms and libraries.
It also just means the range of TV shows we get to see will be worse. It's pretty clear that writers and creators should be fairly compensated to ensure creative talent of all backgrounds can contribute to the quality content we all love.
The Writers Guild of America simply wants a fair contract. Please add your name to support these writers and the millions of people their work impacts every day.