AWF Press Relase: Writers' Stirke Over, But at What Cost?
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Kartch
22 FEBRUARY 2008
202-785-0266
Writer’s Strike Over, but At What Cost?
100-day Walkout Affected More Than Just the Writers
Washington, D.C. — Today the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), a Washington, DC based group dedicated to the protection of worker freedom, criticized the length and money involved in ending the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in Hollywood, Calif.
After a 100-day showdown, 92 percent of the WGA members cast ballots last week to return to work. Terms of their agreement; contracts that cover new media, such as internet or mobile production and payment for reuses of content in new media such as internet broadcasts of previously televised shows. However writers are not the only step on the Hollywood staircase, there are several components that contribute to production that have suffered needlessly, according to AWF policy director Brian Johnson.
“While it is too soon to determine the real economic impact of this strike, we do know that what’s past is prologue,” says Johnson. “In 1988, a 22-week strike cost the entertainment industry around $500 million dollars – and that was 20 years ago! A typical ‘large budget’ film produces around 920 jobs with about 230 tied to production and 690 indirect jobs; that’s at least several hundred set designers, costume makers, florists, dry-cleaners, caterers and other industry related jobs that took a direct hit.”
The current WGA deal is for three years, a deal that Johnson says is far too short and will end up replaying itself again. Groups like the Alliance for Worker Freedom point to a heavily regulated and unionized work climate as blame. Currently, California is one of 28 states that forces union membership and compulsory dues paying as a condition of employment.
“It is appalling to me that the central issue of ‘why is this strike happening’ was never addressed by the media. The ‘reason’ it happened was money, the ‘why’ is happened is because Big Labor was able strong-arm and man-handle the industry into getting what they want. This is not the function of a free and open labor market. Raises and rewards should be based on earnest, personal negotiations based on talent, skill and job progression, not union-thug tactics,” adds Johnson.
With private sector union membership at an all time low, currently around 7 percent, Johnson is confident that employees are choosing the free market over union domination.
