Hundreds of professionals from the American film and television industry demonstrated Tuesday, August 22, 2023 in New York, in union unity at the foot of the giants Amazon and HBO, to demand better working conditions and worker safety. employment, faced with the threat of artificial intelligence.
This demonstration – there are almost every day in Manhattan – was exceptional because organized for the “national day of trade union solidarity” at the call of all the professional organizations of the small and big screen. A similar regrouping was occurring at the same time in Chicago.
A double strike movement has paralyzed Hollywood since May for screenwriters joined in July by actresses and actors.
“As you can see, it’s massive! The movement only grew […] with unparalleled union solidarity, determination and unity,” said Ezra Knight, president of the New York branch of the powerful actors and actresses union SAG-AFTRA.
The demonstration was animated by slogans, banners and horns of support from motorists.
“I’m scared, but I feel good here. We are fighting for something, being part of a large group and feeling that we are all in the same boat is reassuring,” Laura Houha, a 34-year-old actress from the same union, told AFP.
The two Hollywood strikes – the likes of which have not been seen since 1960 – have halted all US film and television production except reality and game shows. The Emmy Awards ceremony, the “Oscars” of television, has been postponed from September 18 to January 15, 2024.
Dialog broken
SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 actors, stunt performers, dancers and other television and film professionals, prohibits all of its members from filming, but also from promoting their productions, in person or on social networks.
The union is calling for better pay, job protection and a framework for the use of artificial intelligence, a “threat” according to Mr. Knight.
And the dialogue between the WGA screenwriters union and the bosses of studios and streaming platforms – like Prime, HBO, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery – has been virtually non-existent.
A glimmer of hope, however, has emerged in recent days, since unions have sat down with the AMPTP, the organization of producers, including Disney and Netflix.
A “good sign” for Mr. Knight.
Today’s demonstration shows that the social movement has always been active in America, but always threatened by the quest for profit by capitalists and corporations. But […] we are still here, the struggle continues, ”assured the trade unionist.
2023-08-22 21:03:35
#UNITED #STATES #Unitary #demonstration #York #film #television #professionals
