Hollywood rocked by massive writers’ strike forced by studio bosses By Mark Gruenberg HOLLYWOOD—TV, livestreaming, and motion picture studio bosses’ intransigence in bargaining and creation of “a gig economy inside a unionized workforce,” forced 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America, who craft scripts for television, motion pictures, streaming videos and similar forms of entertainment, to strike at 12:01 am on May 1. “The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union work force, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing,” the WGA said in a statement. It’s the Guild’s first strike in 15 years. Writers Guild picket lines went up in front of Hollywood studios at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. Members of Writers Guild of America-East began picketing at 2:15 pm Eastern Time in front of sites of live productions, such as Netflix’s Manhattan offices and NBC’s offices in New York City’s Rockefeller Center. “We explained how the companies’ business practices have slashed our compensation and residuals and undermined our working conditions,” said the bargaining committee, headed by David Goodman, Chris Keyser and Ellen Stutzman. “Our chief negotiator, as well as writers, made clear…we are determined to achieve a new contract with fair pay that reflects the value of our contribution to company success and includes protections to ensure that writing survives as a sustainable profession.... READ MORE >> Using children as political props, Republicans escalate war against LGBTQ teachers By Randy Fair It’s hard enough being a teacher at all, but cruel new laws are putting dedicated LGBTQ teachers in particular danger. READ >> Talk about retaliation: Ritzy Chicago club fires its housekeepers By Press Associates It’s a textbook case of illegal retaliation. READ >> Connect with People's World Contact us 3339 S. Halsted Street | Chicago, Illinois 60608 773-446-9920 | contact@peoplesworld.org Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences