The WGA said “the companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce.” But writers say they’re making less than they used to while working under more strained conditions.
Streaming has exploded the number of series and films that are annually made, meaning more jobs for writers. The labor dispute could have a cascading effect on TV and film productions depending on how long the strike lasts, and it comes as streaming services are under growing pressure from Wall Street to show profits. “There’s too much work and not enough pay,” said demonstrator Sean Crespo, a 46-year-old writer whose credits include the former TBS show “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.” The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and shorter exclusive contracts, among other demands - all conditions it says have been diminished in the content boom driven by streaming. Some 11,500 film and television writers represented by the union put down their pens and laptops after failing to reach a new contract with the trade association that represents Hollywood studios and production companies. “No contracts, no content!” sign-carrying members of the Writers Guild of America chanted outside the Manhattan building where NBCUniversal was touting its Peacock streaming service to advertisers. NEW YORK (AP) - The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that already is leading most late-night shows to air reruns.
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