California Governor Gavin Newsom has reportedly stepped in to help negotiate the twin strikes affecting Hollywood, as the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has chosen to support the ongoing Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) strike. These strikes are the first time since 1960 that both actors and writers have come together to protest against major studios, threatening to disrupt the billion-dollar entertainment industry.
With negotiations between the unions and studios at a standstill, the strikes have hindered the production of major films and television shows, affecting not only the stars but also the behind-the-scenes staff whose livelihoods are at stake. However, Governor Newsom, a Democrat, has reportedly been working behind the scenes to help find a resolution to the strikes, aiming to prevent chaos in an industry that generates billions of dollars.
Newsom’s involvement in the negotiations comes as no surprise, given his strong ties to Hollywood. In 2021, when faced with a recall vote, he received substantial support from the entertainment industry, including a star-studded fundraiser that raised over $1 million for his cause. Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, even donated $3 million. Newsom’s involvement in resolving the strikes could potentially boost his political career further.
The demands of both the writers and actors revolve around fair wages and compensation. Both parties seek higher base pay to keep up with inflation, with the writers also hoping to establish minimum size requirements for writers’ rooms on TV shows. Another important point of contention is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. The unions want the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to agree not to replace actors or create scripts using AI.
While the strikes have disrupted the entertainment industry, they have also drawn attention to the deep-rooted issues within the sector. Actors and writers believe that their contributions are undervalued, particularly in the face of increasing corporate greed. Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, emphasized the importance of respect, highlighting that the essential contributors who make the entertainment machine run should not be forgotten.
The strikes have garnered significant public support, with well-known actors and writers participating in protests across the country. Bryan Cranston and Jessica Chastain joined demonstrations in New York’s Times Square, while Jameela Jamil and Hilary Duff voiced their support in Los Angeles. The ongoing strikes, if not resolved, could cost studios hundreds of millions of dollars each year, primarily due to potential wage increases for the workers.
As the negotiations continue, Governor Newsom remains involved, hoping to find a resolution that satisfies both the unions and the studios. While the strikes have created uncertainty within the entertainment industry, Newsom’s intervention offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution that will protect the livelihoods of workers and the multi-billion dollar industry as a whole.
