Hollywood screenwriters approve strike in poll if talks fail

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This measure may happen if an agreement is not reached with studios by May 1st. The last shutdown, in 2007, cost the California economy $2.1 billion. Members of the US screenwriters union protest outside Fox studios, in November 2007, during the last category strike REUTERS/Chris Pizzello/File Photo Hollywood screenwriters approved this Monday (17), with an overwhelming majority in the vote in the union, the realization of a strike. According to the newspaper “New York Times”, the measure was approved by 98% of more than 9 thousand voters. With that, a stoppage can be carried out after May 1, when the current contract with the biggest Hollywood studios ends, in case the negotiations fail. Representatives of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) asked the approximately 11,500 members to vote on whether or not to give them the power to call a strike. The strike authorization vote is aimed at increasing pressure on companies like Netflix and Walt Disney Co and convincing them to raise pay for screenwriters, who argue their salaries have taken a hit because of the streaming revolution, which has resulted in seasons of shorter TVs and smaller residual payments. “We felt like we’ve been undervalued for years,” said John August, a screenwriter who sits on the union’s bargaining committee. A prolonged strike can be costly. The last WGA strike, in 2007 and 2008, lasted 100 days. Networks aired reruns and more reality shows, while the cost of the shutdown to California’s economy was estimated at $2.1 billion, according to the Milken Institute. Most TV and film writers live in Los Angeles or New York. In 2017, the union also voted for a strike. However, an agreement on the last day of the contract prevented the stoppage.

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