Lights, Camera, The Action Behind the Scenes
Imagine working on group projects repeatedly, constantly putting your blood, sweat, tears, and brainpower into them — only for that to never be acknowledged and taken for granted. It wouldn’t take too long for the writers who worked endlessly on scripts for Hollywood shows and movies to be fed up with the insane amount of work that was met with low pay and a lack of job security.
From May to September, thousands of people took to the streets and in front of studios to protest and strike against the working conditions they had to endure. Behind the glitz and glimmer on movie sets, another drama unfolded. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) Strike created a legacy, leaving pivotal and empowering events for all to see, but more importantly, for all to learn and remember.
The Writer’s Guild of America strike lasted for over four months and addressed several key issues that have been common within the screenwriting industry in the last decade. It would address unsatisfactory pay and establish a minimum wage for writers whose positions did not have a minimum wage, in addition to focusing on the working conditions - which have been an issue in America for centuries - and the use of AI in the workplace.
The WGA tried to strike a deal with other companies to ensure that all workers under its association would be treated fairly, but a fair decision was not agreed upon by a deadline they had set, resulting in their strike. This took the form of picketing, holding up signs, protesting in a nonviolent manner, and not doing any work like writing or revising scripts for major television shows.
The WGA strike was an imperative movement for a multitude of reasons. While not the first labor union to defend its workers' rights, it is one of the biggest unions in the 21st century to successfully win the battle of securing fair conditions for its workers. It shows that history does repeat itself, and it reminds me of the plenty of labor strikes and fights for unions that happened in the past or are ongoing. The railroad and train workers have gone on numerous strikes within the last century, and just last year, they would do it again. In the past couple of years, both Starbucks and Amazon workers have been trying to fight a battle for unions– a testament that many workers have struggled with the same issues for years and are still fighting against big corporations to ensure that they earn a living wage and better working conditions.
The strike also addressed the uses of AI in the workplace. Despite AI being a universal tool, for good or bad, it is not commonly associated with jobs or livelihoods outside of academia. The WGA strike is the first to actively fight against and create guidelines for the usage of AI so that it does not take jobs away- easing fears and embracing coexistence.
Lastly, it was important because it was powerful and inspiring. It encouraged writers' guilds from other countries to stand with the WGA and had actors picketing with the writers. Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), joined in on the WGA strike and fought for clarification on guides and the use of AI, such as for the use of digital replicas, and creating a safer and more aware workspace such as providing more sexual harassment training. The WGA strike directly encouraged and inspired other associations and guilds to fight for better working conditions and workspaces, ensuring that humans are not obsolete with the rise of AI.
The WGA strike was impactful. It halted many shows, but also inspired many other guilds to partake in the strike. It is admirable, but also sensible that actors would partake in the strike because these are your coworkers who carry a significant portion of the show or movie in their arms.
Without writers, it may be possible to continue filming, but it will be challenging and in some cases, it may fall back on the actor, such as the actor bearing more responsibilities filling in script gaps, or just losing their roles on the show because the show got canceled. It was also interesting to see the strike address the use of AI because we are rapidly approaching an age in which AI use will be even more prominent. Hopefully, more people, workers, and unions will, like the WGA, take action to address critical issues and stand up for their worth.
Emmanuel Annan Jr is a high school Senior from New York City.