Many of you are already aware that members of the WGA have been on strike since May 2, 2023. As the Strikehub page on the WGA website states:

“Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation. The studios have taken advantage of the transition to streaming to underpay entertainment industry workers, including writers in every area of work. Like too many working people across our economy, as corporate profits grow, writers are just not keeping up.”

These are words that apply to our members as well. All authors are suffering in the current media environment—and we should support each other in this struggle.

That’s why we’re asking you to take a selfie with a printout saying #WGAStrong and #WGAStrike (if you can manage a sign, that would be even better). The WGA social media toolkit has messages you can choose from and other ways you can support the WGA. You may also feel free to write your own message of support.

Post your selfie, hashtag it, and make sure to tag us @AuthorsGuild on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook so we can help spread the word that writers support each other.

Key issues at stake in the WGA strike:

• Compensation and Residuals. The WGA wants to increase writers’ minimum compensation significantly, to better address the devaluation of writing in all areas of television, new media, and features. They are also trying to address the abuse of TV “mini-rooms,” in which companies hire a smaller number of high-level writers for a brief period of time to develop a series. This type of work was previously done by a larger staff, which enabled writers to follow their scripts through production, adjusting as needed and learning the production process (knowledge of which is necessary for them to continue to develop their craft and advance their careers). Producers continue to make billions of dollars based on the work of writers; writers have every right to share in this benefit in a more equitable manner.
• Professional Employment and Protection of Writers. This includes not only enacting measures to combat discrimination and harassment and promoting pay equity, but also regulating the use of material produced using generative AI. AI is an existential threat in the world of TV and film writers just as it is to other authors.