Hollywood Union Workers Losing Health Insurance: The Devastating Consequences of the Strike

REFORM AGENCY
Mexico City

Almost three months after the Hollywood Writers Union went on strike and after the Actors Union joined, the havoc has already begun, as members of both unions are losing their health insurance after not complying with the number of hours weekdays they ask for.
According to Deadline, dozens of workers, especially older ones, are losing their health insurance after not meeting the minimum hours worked to be given this benefit.

UNAFFORDABLE PAYMENTS
John Campbell, 60, told the outlet that he was terminated from health insurance for the first time after missing 7 hours of work, for which he began to pay for a private service that later became unaffordable.
“Here we are in our 29th, 30th, 35th year, and we’re still struggling like the day we went into business,” Campbell said.
In order for workers to receive health insurance and a pension, they need to work a minimum of 400 hours in a six-month period, so if the strike spreads, more people could lose coverage.
“I’m trying to get through this the best way I can. I’ve been in the film industry all my life and I can’t get by,” said another 54-year-old worker.
The president of the Screen Actors Guild, Fran Drescher, organized a rally in front of New York City Hall and presented figures in which she presents that 86 percent of workers do not have health coverage paid for by the union, which causes thousands of people are left adrift.