With the WGA strike now in force in the US, the Across the Atlantic guild in the UK has reminded its members not to work on US shows.
Following a recently passed solidarity motion in support of the WGA, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has now said that while it understands these are “difficult times” and many writers “need work”, it advises its members to ” not to work on projects under WGA jurisdiction for the duration of the strike”. WGGB members have already been told they would be removed from the guild if they worked on a US project – effectively breaking the picket line.
As part of its updated guidance issued Tuesday, the WGGB pointed to strike rules stating that the WGA “may and will exclude a writer from future guild membership” and that the WGA has asked members to provide the names of all individuals to report that they are believed to have “provided writing services for an ailing company and provided as much information as possible about the non-member’s services”.
According to the guidelines, any WGA or WGGB member can continue to work on a project if it falls solely under the jurisdiction of the WGGB.
“We continue to show our solidarity with our sister union and its members in the US as they take industrial action to secure fair wages and decent working conditions and to get their rightful share in the future financial successes of their work,” said WGGB Chair Lisa Holdsworth.
“We know that strikes are a last resort and require individual sacrifices. The overwhelming majority of WGA members who voted for this action have demonstrated the collective strength of their sentiments and determination to stand firm on issues affecting writers around the world,” she continued. “I know that my WGGB colleagues will carry my message of solidarity to our colleagues overseas, and I know that many will also have understandable concerns about the impact on their work here at a time when traditional boundaries regarding Genre and jurisdiction fall. and when writers face their own challenges here.”
The strike marks a first for Hollywood writers in over 15 years. After negotiations with the working group representing studios and streamers stalled Monday night, the guild announced a walkout would begin Tuesday afternoon. Viewership-based residuals, artificial intelligence, and minimal staffing for the authors’ room are some of the key points of contention between the Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, according to a document the authors released Monday night.
