Calay News
For almost three hours, in commemoration of the National Day of Labor Solidarity, protesters gathered outside the New York headquarters of two giants of the film and television industries, carrying banners and using megaphones to make their demands heard. The participants, who normally spread out to various parts of the city, were backed up by drivers who honk their horns in support. The strike, which began in early May with Hollywood screenwriters and was later joined by actors and other industry professionals, seeks better wages and guarantees to limit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other job advancements in the multibillion-dollar industry.Ezra Knight, president of the New York branch of the SAG-AFTRA actors union, stressed that this movement continues to grow and that they are willing to continue on strike until their demands are met, as they are fighting for their livelihood. Protesters fear that AI could replace many jobs and affect copyrights, health insurance, and pensions. They believe that creativity and passion cannot be replaced by companies and computers.In recent days, different unions have negotiated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which includes studios such as Disney and Netflix, within the framework of collective negotiations that establish salary conditions every three years. The strike has had a significant impact on the industry, disrupting filming and production and delaying the prestigious Emmy Awards by four months until January.Knight stresses that this strike is a reminder that the labor movement has always been relevant in the United States and emphasizes their continued determination to fight for their rights.
