PICTURED: EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT
This was announced by the powerful US Authors’ Union (WGA) on Monday evening (local time) in Los Angeles after talks with the film studios and streaming platforms ended without an agreement. The board members of the Writers Guild of America “have unanimously decided to call a strike based on the powers bestowed upon them by their members,” the union said on Twitter. The strike begins on Tuesday after midnight (9:00 a.m. CEST).
In view of the great growth in streaming services, screenwriters are demanding more salary and greater profit sharing. So far, they have received a fixed annual salary from the platforms – even if series like “Bridgerton” or “Stranger Things” develop into worldwide successes and are seen by hundreds of millions of viewers. In addition, the series often remain on the platforms for years. The authors therefore call for a revision of the applicable rules for their compensation.
According to the union, despite inflation, salaries have remained the same or even fallen, making it increasingly difficult for authors to make a living. Currently, more of them are working below the wage floor than ever before, while productions are hiring fewer and fewer people for shorter series. Studios, on the other hand, argue that due to economic pressure, costs need to be reduced.
The screenwriters last went on strike in 2007 after failed talks with the studios. They put down their pencils for 100 days, which cost the Los Angeles entertainment industry about $2 billion.
Source: Nachrichten
