Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
WGA Negotiators Seek Strike Authorization From Members
Picketers outside of NBC studios during the 2007/08 WGA strike. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
()
The Writers Guild of America negotiators have requested a vote to allow the board of directors to call a strike if current negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory deal, according to Deadline. The request comes at the end of the first two weeks of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The vote does not mean a strike would occur, but it gives the board of directors the power to initiate one if they deem it necessary. The last WGA strike happened over 100 days in 2007.
This round of contract negotiations stems primarily from a lack of transparency around residuals from streaming services and stagnant or declining earnings for writers despite a ballooning profit for the entertainment industry at large. Negotiations have also focused heavily on health plans, with WGA requesting more financial support from AMPTA for health coverage, according to Variety.
In a letter addressed to AMPTA, the WGA negotiators outlined their requests for higher pay, better family leave, and reasonable financial responses to the current trend of short television seasons. They then described the lack of a reasonable deal around these concerns, saying the production companies' response was "no, in virtually every case." They cited small gains in the payment for comedy variety writers, but otherwise no response to their other financial requests. This led them to call for the vote to authorize a strike, while also adding that they "are committed to continue negotiating with the companies in good faith to get you the deal we all deserve."
AMPTA told Deadline "The WGA broke off negotiations at an early stage in the process in order to secure a strike vote rather than directing its efforts at reaching an agreement at the bargaining table."
Support for LAist comes from
The timeline for the vote is still unclear, but the current three-year contract expires on May 1.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist