The Writers Guild of America (WGA) members picketed at Disney and Warner Bros on Wednesday in Burbank, California. The WGA West’s picketing was the only major one, as the WGA East had to cancel their planned picketing in New York City, due to poor air quality caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada. The guild later announced that it would pause its demonstrations for the entire week due to the conditions. The picket lines at Warner Bros grew to about 100 people, including scribes from WB and CW Network shows such as Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, 90210, Riverdale, Nancy Drew, all the DC superhero shows, All American, and more. The picketers were in high spirits, and theme songs from shows like 90210 and Dawson’s Creek played loudly on the sidewalks. A coffee truck and a crepe truck were also provided by Julie Plec and Greg Berlanti. Later in the afternoon, many moved to Disney for the Native & Indigenous Writers takeover, with up to 150 picketers protesting. The event began with SAG-AFTRA member Dennis Garcia blessing the event, followed by several performances, including a Lumbee Hoop Dance from Eric Michael Hernandez and a collaboration with the Southern California Bird Singers. Other WGA committees, including LGBTQ+ and LatinX writers, showed their support at Disney. Notable attendees included Rutherford Falls co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas, The Lincoln Lawyer co-showrunner and WGA negotiating committee member Dialyn Rodriguez, actor Román Zaragoza from CBS’ Ghosts, and Vida creator Tanya Saracho. Food was provided via a Bad Hombres Tacos truck courtesy of 3 Arts Entertainment.
SAG-AFTRA Begins Contract Talks
On the same day, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) began negotiations with Hollywood studios over their own film and TV contracts. The guild had a strike authorization in hand. The talks coincided with the WGA’s picketing, which is also struggling in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over a new contract. A smaller demonstration at NBC Studios in Burbank was attended by former WGA president David A Goodman, who is currently a member of the negotiation committee deadlocked with the AMPTP over a new contract. The WGA has planned a ’70s-themed picket at NBCU on Thursday, which will include writers from Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & the Six. The WGA is also organizing a Bike the Strike – The Return bike ride that starts at CBS Studios in Studio City and ends at Amazon HQ in Culver City.
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