Photo: ISG with Movement of Rank & File Educators (MORE) contingent at picket. MORE is an activist group within the United Federation of Teachers (NYC)
ISG stands with the 11,500 workers in Writers Guild of America (WGA) and 160,000 workers in the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Arts (SAG-AFTRA) who have been on strike since May 2nd and July 14th respectively. This is the first time both unions are striking together since 1960. ISG has joined picket lines, rallies, and marches in New York City and Boston.
The film and TV industry has moved toward online streaming platforms and workers are fighting attacks on wages and job security. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is reducing the number of staff writers on shows and exploiting actors by scanning their likeness and voices for use in AI technologies. They slashed residual pay rates; writers make 14% less after inflation than they did 5 years ago, and 86% of SAG-AFTRA members make under $26,000 a year.
Rallies around the country, especially in LA and NYC, have united writers, actors, Teamsters, food service workers, teachers, and others. The labor movement should launch a nationwide campaign for a $25/hr minimum wage, universal healthcare, and mass construction of affordable, high-quality public housing.
Independent Socialist Group 