WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, local Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), whose Union is currently on Strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), brought their national work action to Buffalo over the weekend.  While much of the media attention on their Strike has been focused on the Entertainment Epicenters in Hollywood and New York City, Guild Members in Buffalo thought it was important to begin to educate the General Public here in Western New York as to what they are fighting for - and against.   (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Buffalo is a far way from the Entertainment Epicenters of Hollywood and New York City where much of the media coverage on striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) Members has been focused.  But over the weekend, Guild Members rallied outside an under-construction movie and television studio that’s being built on the City West Side to call public attention to why they have been on the picket line for more than 40 days now.

Because “it’s ‘not a hobby, it’s a living,’” WGA Representative Jeff Wilber told WNYLaborToday.com as a couple of dozen Union Members held a news conference, marched together and held up signs, including some that read: “Art Over Content,” “Writers’ Words Make Worlds” and “Writers Guild On Strike.”

The Members of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Council of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), acting upon the authority granted to them by their Memberships, went on Strike on May 2nd.  The WGAW and WGAE represent Writers employed in Motion Pictures, Television, Cable, Digital Media and Broadcast News.

According to the Unions, the decision was made following six weeks of negotiations with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony under the umbrella of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The WGA Negotiating Committee said the studios’ responses had been wholly insufficient given the existential crisis Writers are facing.

The companies' behavior has created a Gig Economy inside a Union Workforce and their immovable stance during negotiations “has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing,” the WGA said.

From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a "day rate" in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for Screenwriters and on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for all Writers, they’ve closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession, the WGA said.

“Our annual income’ has dropped’ the last few years,” said Wilber a Professional Screenwriter and Television Writer.  “AI is a ‘shortcut, not a source.’  AI ‘had no issues growing up - it has no (real) story to tell.’  Writers ‘have a story to tell.’  ‘I don’t think this will be resolved soon, and as a result, there are no new TV shows or movies in production.’  And that’s because other (entertainment) Unions, including IATSE (the Stagehands) and the Teamsters ‘aren’t crossing picket lines’ (to work on productions).  The last time (WGA went out on Strike in the late 2000s) it lasted for several months (before a contract agreement was reached).”

Local WGAers, who were joined by representatives of several other Unions, including the Actors’ Equity Association, IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) - as well as several United Steelworker Members who participated in a show of solidarity with their striking Union Brothers and Sisters.

The local WGA contingent chose to hold their news conference/rally outside Buffalo’s new Movie and Television Studio on the corner of Niagara Street and West Ferry Street on the City’s West Side, which is currently under construction. 

Prior to the rally, local WGA Representatives issued the following statement:

This is not a 'protest' - it is a gathering, a rally around the possibilities on the horizon for the Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier Film and TV Community.

With the generous tax credits in place from (New York) State and some of the best and experienced crews to be found anywhere, this region stands on the precipice of a very bright future for TV/film production and post-production.

But it's not just about the Writers.

It is also about every Tradesperson, Craftsperson, Actor, Driver, Director, etc. whose living has been chipped away at for decades by these multi-trillion-dollar companies that have flaunted record profits while denying the Middle Class Workers a decent living.

Over the years, Buffalo has been gaining popularity with the Movie and TV Industry as a number of major productions have been filmed here, including Nightmare Alley, Marshall, Henry’s Crime, The Natural, Hide In Plain Sight, Best Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and A Quiet Place Part II, to name but a few.

“We ‘want to support (what goes on inside) this building,’” Wilbur said.  “I ‘love’ Buffalo and I ‘cannot wait for this building to be utilized, but it will remain empty until those who tell the stories are back at work.’  ‘We just want what is fair, an equitable’ agreement.  We are hoping (actions like this in cities other than Los Angeles and New York) ‘will bring pressure.’”

While there are many issues the WGA is standing up for, including much better returns for Writers’ work, which is also being streamed by motion picture and TV producers, AI is lining up as a major problem to be addressed by the Union.

“AI is not a ‘source.’  AI has ‘no soul.’  The WGA ‘has Writers to tell their stories.’  ‘We manufacture worlds because it all starts with story and Writers share much more than just words on a page.’  ‘We want to be paid fairly and not be turned into a Gig’ Worker.  ‘When you try to write smaller, faster and cheaper - it sucks.’  ‘This is why we are making a stand,’” Wilbur (Pictured Below In The Red Shirt With Actors' Equity Representative Don Gervasi On The Left And Starbucks Coffee Organizer/Local Union Actress Michelle Eisen On the Right) said.

Buffalo/Western New York is an extremely dense Union Town, so it was no surprise that Members of other Entertainment Unions were in attendance on Saturday (June 10th) to lend their support.

Barista and local Union Actress Michelle Eisen, one of the leading Organizers for Starbucks Workers United in Buffalo, which got the Starbucks organizing ball rolling in Buffalo back in 2021, was there with her Union Brothers and Sisters.  

Buffalo’s IATSE Local 10 had several of its Members out in support of the WGA. 

Local President Tom Tucker told WNYLaborToday.com that he himself has been a Union Member for 43 years and that “an injury to one is an injury to all.”

“AI ‘will destroy their craft,’” Tucker said.  “‘And what will AI do to all of us?’  ‘It just replaces bodies - where does it stop?’  ‘That’s why we’re here for our Brothers and Sisters in the Guild.’  ‘They are not alone.’  ‘We stand in solidarity with you, we will be here for you.’  ‘This is not the end, only the beginning,’” he said.

Local 10 Business Agent Josh Moberly added: “It’s ‘important (the Union is here to support the WGA) because Buffalo is a growing’ entertainment hub.  ‘You want to see (the Writers) be (compensated) for what’s going on in streaming, so this problem no longer exists.’”

Actors’ Equity was also present at the rally, with their Representatives telling WNYLaborToday.com that it is important “word of what is going on” with the Strike and its reasons “get out” in cities - big and small - across the country.

“‘We have got to get this out in cities outside of place like Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta,’” Equity Community Liaison for Buffalo and Rochester, and Actor, Don Gervasi stressed. 

Equity Counselor/Coordinator and Actor Josie DiVincenzo said: “This is ‘just not a Hollywood problem.’  ‘It’s also a Buffalo’ problem.  People ‘get excited’ when a film (production) comes here.  ‘But this creates a need to be respected - and when that goes down, quality goes down.’”