From Hollywood to auto work, organized labor is flexing its muscles. Where do unions stand today?
1 year, 1 month ago

From Hollywood to auto work, organized labor is flexing its muscles. Where do unions stand today?

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Once again, U.S. labor unions are flexing their muscles in the national spotlight. “Even though we’re seeing stronger support for unions, the highest popularity of union favorability in polls since at least the 1960s, translating the worker desire for representation into actual representation is really hard under our current system,” Alexander Colvin, dean of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, previously told The Associated Press. “It’s kind of a perfect storm, you see a lot of union movement these days,” said Eunice Han, an assistant professor at the University of Utah specializing in labor economics. “One thing that’s really important is that solidarity still pays off,” said Adam Seth Litwin, associate professor in Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. “When you can actually see workers in other sectors benefiting from unionization, that’s incredibly powerful for organizers.” Leaders of Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists treated the actors strike as a watershed moment from the start, coming as it did amid wider labor fights across work sectors.

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History of this topic

Labor unrest defined Hollywood in 2023. Here’s what we learned from the twin strikes
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Labor unrest defined Hollywood in 2023. Here’s what we learned from the twin strikes

LA Times  

Members and supporters of SAG-AFTRA picket in front of Netflix on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. “‘We’re not alone.’” Erin T. Hill, assistant professor of media and popular culture at UC San Diego, said that striking actors and writers benefited from a “perfect storm of what’s been going on with everyone’s job throughout the country.” “The fact that these two unions …

Autoworkers are the latest to spotlight the power of US labor. What is the state of unions today?
1 year, 1 month ago

Autoworkers are the latest to spotlight the power of US labor. What is the state of unions today?

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — U.S. labor unions are once again flexing their muscles in the national spotlight. “Even though we’re seeing stronger support for unions, the highest popularity of union favorability in polls since at least the 1960s, translating the worker desire for representation into actual representation is really hard under our current system,” Alexander Colvin, dean of Cornell University’s School …

The power dynamic in labor has shifted and pickets are seemingly everywhere. But for how long?
1 year, 2 months ago

The power dynamic in labor has shifted and pickets are seemingly everywhere. But for how long?

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — From auto production lines to Hollywood, the power of labor unions is back in the national spotlight. “Even though we’re seeing stronger support for unions, the highest popularity of union favorability in polls since at least 1960s, translating the worker desire for representation into actual representation is really hard under our current system,” Alexander Colvin, dean of …

As worker actions continue nationwide, White House highlights how administration is helping unions
1 year, 3 months ago

As worker actions continue nationwide, White House highlights how administration is helping unions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — As worker actions continue from Hollywood to Detroit, and new labor unions crop up at firms like Starbucks and Amazon, the White House on Monday was highlighting its effort to bolster worker organizing throughout the U.S. President Joe Biden is counting on critical labor support as he campaigns for a second term in office, holding his first re-election …

Hollywood unions (and stars) rally near Disney amid strikes. ‘They underestimated our resolve’
1 year, 4 months ago

Hollywood unions (and stars) rally near Disney amid strikes. ‘They underestimated our resolve’

LA Times  

Kerry Washington speaks as SAG-AFTRA and WGA join forces with other unions for a National Day of Solidarity rally outside Disney headquarters in Burbank. More than 3,000 union members gathered near Walt Disney Co.’s Burbank headquarters in support of striking Hollywood actors — buoyed by impassioned speeches from Olivia Pope, President Jed Bartlet and Hellboy. Kerry Washington, Martin Sheen and …

Marvel Studios VFX workers move to unionize amid Hollywood labor unrest
1 year, 4 months ago

Marvel Studios VFX workers move to unionize amid Hollywood labor unrest

LA Times  

Marvel Studios visual effects workers have taken a significant step toward unionization, in what would mark a first for a sector that has historically lacked guild representation. “For almost half a century, workers in the visual effects industry have been denied the same protections and benefits their coworkers and crewmates have relied upon since the beginning of the Hollywood film …

Opinion: Actors are striking because we’ve long been in crisis. It’s not just streaming or AI
1 year, 5 months ago

Opinion: Actors are striking because we’ve long been in crisis. It’s not just streaming or AI

LA Times  

SAG-AFTRA members picket outside of Amazon Studios in Culver City on July 14, the first day of the union’s strike. As I searched for the irony in her face, all I could think of was how I’d spent my childhood on stages, lived in a crowded hostel to study Lee Strasberg’s “The Method” at 16 before finally moving to New …

Explained: The reason why writers in Hollywood are on a strike and the impact it's likely to have
1 year, 7 months ago

Explained: The reason why writers in Hollywood are on a strike and the impact it's likely to have

Firstpost  

The writers are the backbones of any piece of work. Streaming services’ use of smaller staffs — known in the industry as “mini rooms” — for shorter stints has made sustained income harder to come by, the guild says. “If writing needs to be done, writers are hired, but these proposals require the employment of writers whether they’re needed for …

Hollywood crews union reaches a deal with studios, averting a strike
3 years, 2 months ago

Hollywood crews union reaches a deal with studios, averting a strike

LA Times  

Kevin Chiu of IATSE Local 80, which represents grips and other set workers, waits in his car as volunteer Liz Lipschultz writes pro-labor slogans during a rally at the Motion Picture Editors Guild IATSE Local 700 on Sept. 26 in Los Angeles. The union representing Hollywood crews has reached an agreement on a new contract with the major studios, avoiding …

Hollywood union workes authorise industry-wide strike, demand 'better pay, safer hours'
3 years, 2 months ago

Hollywood union workes authorise industry-wide strike, demand 'better pay, safer hours'

Firstpost  

Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, which covers camera crews, prop masters, hairdressers, and other craft workers, say they are being worked to death with gruelling hours and no guaranteed rest or meal breaks Film and television production in North America is in jeopardy of coming to a standstill after its behind-the-scenes workers overwhelmingly voted to …

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