Some AMPTP Members Trying To Strong Arm Showrunners Into Crossing The Picket Line
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As of May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America officially went on strike for the first time in 15 years. Their previous contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expired, and negotiations failed to bear fruit before this. Members of the AMPTP include companies such as Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, CBS, and other major players. Little time passed before several of these companies attempted what could be interpreted as union-busting according to Deadline.
Some active showrunners who double as WGA members received letters from their respective companies telling them to report to work for activities supposedly unrelated to WGA services. HBO sent a letter on May 2, stating, “If you are a WGA member, HBO/HBO Max respects your membership in the WGA, and we will not do anything to place you in jeopardy of WGA rules.” They continued by clarifying the belief that “certain services, such as participating in the cast process and/or contributing to non-writing production, and post-production work are clear examples of non-WGA required services that should continue to be rendered during this time.”
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Citing the National Labor Relations Act, they go on to assert a failure to “provide contracted services due to the Guild strike,” HBO would “not be obliged to continue” the employee’s salary, extending to production interruptions and “the salary of the cast and crew.”
Disney sent out a similar message on May 3, stating if the employee is a “showrunner or other writer-producer,” they “are not excused from performing your duties as a showrunner and/or producer on your series.” They also confirm the intention “to stay in production during the WGA strike” which they “are legally entitled to do.” Disney-owned 20th Television and Paramount-owned CBS Studios have received a similar message.
Image Source: Gizmodo AU
Based on sources reported to Deadline, every major studio sans Netflix and NBCUniversal has sent a letter of similar content, and that “all the studios are planning on sending these letters out.” An unnamed showrunner powerfully asserted, “We are professionals, we know our obligations and rights and we don’t need to be spoken to like children, like this does.”
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