Show your solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, WGA strikers

UPDATE (Aug. 23, 2023) — Thank you to all who attended Tuesday’s solidarity rally!

#NationalDayOfSolidarity going strong in Seattle! WSLC @st_ccarter shares a message of support for our @sagaftra, @WGAEast & @WGAWest siblings on strike for a fair contract.

Across industry & geography, workers stand with writers and performers‼️ #WGAstrike #SagAftraStrike pic.twitter.com/nz4GNpaCJC

— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) August 23, 2023

SEATTLE –Anyone who has ever gone on strike knows how much it means to have the support of fellow union members and the community when you are on the picket line. That solidarity gives you strength and resolve to stay out one day longer.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22, the AFL-CIO has organized a National Day of Solidarity to support striking members of SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike since July 14 and May 2, respectively. This is your opportunity to stand with striking members and show them you support their efforts to get fair pay and employment protections.

TAKE A STAND — In Washington, there will be a Solidarity Rally in Seattle to support the strikers. All union members and community supporters are urged to join the rally from 6 to 7 p.m. at Volunteer Park’s Amphitheater, 1247 15th Ave E. in Seattle. (If you are outside Washington, click here to find a picket/rally near you.)

A new nationwide poll, conducted by Data for Progress, has found a strong majority of voters support the striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA members’ demands. Key findings from the poll include:

●  87% agree that actors and writers should receive the appropriate compensation when their work continues to earn money for corporations from reruns or streaming.

●  85% agree that actors have the right to their own images, voice and likeness, and must be ensured consent and fair compensation when any of it is used with artificial intelligence (AI).

●  82% agree that major Hollywood studios and streamers—such as NBCUniversal, Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Paramount—should guarantee that screenwriters, actors and other media professionals are fairly compensated for the streaming revenue generated from their work.

●  74% agree that Hollywood studios should be prohibited from replacing human writers with AI tools for the purpose of writing material for movies and TV shows.

●  72% agree that TV actors and writers should receive fair compensation and employment terms that account for the shorter seasons and longer hiatuses between seasons on streaming services.

●  86% of voters who originally said they supported the strikes say they will continue to support the strikes even when informed that the strikes could cause major production delays on TV shows and movies they enjoy.

●  59% of voters say they have an unfavorable opinion of the major Hollywood studios after learning that they rejected the demands of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, while just 21% reported a favorable opinion.

“This latest poll confirms what we’ve been hearing across the country: The American people strongly support the striking writers, performers and other media professionals, and overwhelmingly agree that they should be compensated fairly and protected from studios using AI to replace human workers,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Voters understand that this isn’t just about one industry—this is about all of us—and unions need to have a seat at the table to take on the existential threat AI poses to our livelihoods and economy.”