In the latest episode of his podcast Club Random, host Bill Maher objects to the ethos behind the Writers Guild of America strike.
“What I find objectionable about the philosophy of the strike [is] it seems to be, they have really morphed a long way from 2007’s strike, where they kind of believe that you’re owed a living as a writer—and you’re not,” said Maher about the WGA’s terms sent forth to the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers. He added, “This is show business. This is the make-or-miss league.”
The podcaster told his guest, stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer Jim Gaffigan, “They’re asking for a lot of things that are, like, kooky.”
The “kooky” demands the WGA has laid out are fair compensation, more equitable residuals, staffing requirements, protections from the deployment of artificial intelligence and more.
Maher’s comments coincided with Labor Day in the United States, a federal holiday commemorating the labor movement and the works and contributions of the American workforce to the development and achievements of the U.S.
Labor unrest and workers’ strike threats are proliferating throughout numerous industries, expanding beyond their traditional strongholds, such as manufacturing, into new areas, like healthcare and service industries, in 2023. This reflects demands for higher pay amid high inflation and better working conditions across blue and white-collar jobs.
Notable Strikes Or Potential Strike Authorizations Happening Now
- Eighty-five thousand Kaiser Permanente employees are voting on whether to authorize what would be the largest healthcare strike in U.S. history.
- The United Auto Workers union has authorized a strike on September 14 if automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis—the Big Three—fail to meet the demands of over 150,000 workers.
- Unions representing rail workers in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia are considering walkouts, picketing and other strike actions, as they seek recognition and increased compensation for keeping the rail system running throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
- American Airlines flight attendants and Southwest Airlines pilots voted in favor of a strike last month. Both groups are currently in federal mediation. Neither group of workers can legally strike at this point in mediation.
- Teachers in the Evergreen and Camas school districts in Washington state are on strike over class sizes, increased funding, more planning time, additional support for special needs students and higher pay, postponing the start of the academic year.
- Last week, Los Angeles hotel workers at JW Marriott, Sheraton and 11 other establishments organized a walkout at the commencement of the American Political Science Association’s annual conference. Unite Here Local 11 represents hotel housekeepers, front desk concierge, cooks and other hotel staff. The union has urged patrons and convention organizers to boycott the hotels that have yet to agree to union demands.
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