United States: US President Mr. Joe Biden has expressed his desire to ensure that Hollywood’s striking movie and television writers receive a “fair deal” regarding their ongoing contract negotiations. Mr. Biden’s statement came on 8th May 2023 as the entertainment industry grapples with ongoing labor disputes.
“I sincerely hope the writers’ strike in Hollywood gets resolved and writers are given the fair deal they deserve as soon as possible,” the President stated during a film screening at the White House in honour of the Asian-American community.
For the first time since the strike began last week, President Mr. Joe Biden, a pro-union Democrat, has weighed in on the ongoing labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and major US studios and streaming services. The strike was initiated after negotiations between the parties failed, prompting concerns about the future of Hollywood’s television and film production.
Thousands of striking writers who are picketing have stated that their main demand is for better compensation in an industry that has been heavily impacted by the rise of streaming services. The ongoing strike has caused significant disruption to Hollywood’s television and film production.
The WGA represents a significant number of screenwriters, around 11,500, who are currently advocating for more stable working conditions and a larger share of the profits generated by the growing streaming industry.
In the past, writers could rely on network television series to provide months of work, along with royalties or residuals when the shows were broadcasted again. However, with the rise of streaming services, writers claim to be earning less as the industry’s focus shifts.
"I sincerely hope the strike gets resolved, and writers are given a fair deal as soon as possible. This is an iconic, meaningful American industry & we need the writers—and all the workers—to tell the stories of our nation, and the stories of all of us." – @POTUS #WGAStrong #1u pic.twitter.com/cyH7HrTK6G
— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) May 9, 2023
One of the main concerns voiced by writers is that series produced for streaming platforms tend to be shorter, often comprising just six episodes, which translates into less work and smaller teams. Additionally, they claim that residuals earned from streaming platforms are significantly lower than what was earned from traditional network television.
As the strike continues, its impact has already been felt with the suspension of various late-night shows. The longer the labor dispute goes on, the greater the disruption it is expected to cause to television and film productions.
The previous Hollywood writers’ strike took place in 2007 and lasted for 100 days, costing California’s economy a staggering $2.1 billion.
WORLD ROUNDUP: Invertebrates in European Alps facing extinction due to glacier melting; Study
