Hollywood Unites: WGA West President Leads Striking Writers and Actors at Fox Studios

WGA West President Meredith Stiehm was accompanied today by AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and SAG-AFTRA national board members Frances Fisher and Shari Belafonte; joining striking writers and actors on the picket line outside Fox Studios in Century City.

In attendance were also key union leaders, Yvonne Wheeler, the newly elected President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, who holds the executive secretary treasurer role at the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. On the 87th day of the writers strike, Stiehm inspired crowds with her rousing speech, calling the strikers to remember that value comes from struggle.

The picketing was marked by a jovial atmosphere with chants such as "On strike, shut it down, L.A. is a union town" and playful humor reflected in signs reading, “A robot would make a great CEO” and, a cheeky Disney jab, “We’re unrealistic? You bought Fox.”

Stiehm used the opportunity to highlight the strenuous journey of many women writers who have fought their way into the industry. She expressed her pride for these "genre queens" who have proven their worth in the face of adversity. Accompanying Stiehm on the picket line was Betsy Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer of the WGA West - both are contesting in the guild’s imminent election.

Shuler, the triumphant head of an organization which holds 60 unions and almost 13 million unionized workers, was no less enthusiastic. She lauded the strong female leadership present at the strike and gave assurance to the strikers that they were far from standing alone.

As part of the narrative, Fisher advocated that the strike was not isolated to the entertainment industry, but was part of a global labor movement, while Belafonte criticized the large production houses for prioritizing their profits and shareholders over the lives of workers. In a poignant moment, Belafonte pointed out the staggering daily income of studio CEOs compared to the pay of the striking workers, cementing the moral grounds of the strike.

Now that I've sketched out the facts for you, let’s peel back the layer and see what’s really going on within those picket lines. This is a tale that goes way beyond all the signs, slogans, and chants: we're dealing with the heart of the entertainment industry and its glaring paradoxes and inequities.

Despite the business of Hollywood being based on creativity and storytelling, the reality behind the scenes often lacks the justice and fairness that heroes in these stories usually fight for. Strikers standing with signs that sarcastically jest at CEO robots aren't just trying to tickle your funny bone but highlight how the human contribution is often overlooked in this robot-like profit-driven industry.

What strikes (pun fully intended) me is the sense of unity and spirit the strike embodies. Taking the tough path of resistance isn't for the faint-hearted. As Stiehm remarks about fighting for something worthwhile, it's a powerful reminder that our industry is still pushing against forces that obscure voices, and keeping the human story alive.

Lastly, there’s something quite poetic about major entertainment figures stepping out of their guild halls to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on picket lines. Then there's Belafonte, calling out the humongous salaries of studio CEOs. It’s almost like a scene straight out of a film script-except this scene runs on the reel of reality.

Strikes are never easy, they signify struggle, but in the heart of that struggle, often blooms change. With every chant and every sign, the structure of the industry is being shaken and the possibility of better, fairer conditions are being created. Stay tuned, folks. The last word in this script has yet to be written.