#union stuff

[a-method-in-it]

You know that Chris Fleming line that goes "Call yourself a community organizer even though you're not on speaking terms with your roommates"?

I honestly think every leftist who talks about the "revolution" like Christians talk about the rapture needs to spend a year trying to organize their workplace. Anyone who sincerely talks about building a movement so vast and all-encompassing that it overwhelms all existing power structures needs the dose of humility that comes with realizing they can't even build a movement to get people paid better at a badly run AMC Theaters where everyone already hates the manager.

#method speaks #union stuff #politics #i guess #best case scenario in this plan we get some successful union drives #worst case people realize that movement building is hard #and also explicitly mentioning socialism is counterproductive #mostly i'm just venting #it's only april how is election discourse this unhinged already?

[isawiitch]

ok folks time to start rallying for The Animation Guild union stuff

Nickelodeon Production Workers are asking for signatures on this petition to put more pressure lon employers regarding their unwillingness to negotiate further on long expired contract, which now includes the newly unionized Production Workers (previously only covered Artists).

#union stuff #nickelodeon #animation #also im not an official union rep i will likely Not have answers to questions

[anotherfagontheinternet]

i show up to your house to speak to you about a serious matter, but instead of pulling out an FBI badge, i show u this bad boy:

#iww #industrial workers of the world #unions #union stuff

[elwingflight]

Okay so people have been talking a lot about why a movie/TV boycott is a bad idea and you shouldn’t do it (actors/writers need those residuals right now, we want to keep demand high, etc). And I’ve got to say as a union organizer that while all of those points may well be valid they are also... really not the point.

There isn’t a boycott because the striking workers have not called for a boycott. This is not about you! This is about the WGA and SAG-AFTRA’s strategic decisions! They might call for a boycott at some point if this is dragging out and they think it might help, and in that case you should be ready to boycott then!!! (Notice the language they have been using: “Neither the WGA or SAG-AFTRA is calling for a consumer boycott right now” (emphasis added by me). They’re absolutely leaving open the possibility of calling for a boycott in the future).

What matters here is centering whatever the unions are actually asking for, not what you think you/other fans should do, and recognizing that they know how their industry works and are choosing the strategy they are for a reason. Unions in general, and strikes in particular, succeed when people are on the same page about their tactics and are committed to working together. They’re not a fuck-the-man free-for-all.

So! Obviously your personal media consumption choices are ultimately your own, but lets keep in mind that there absolutely is not a call for a boycott right now, without dismissing the idea that their could be a boycott, yeah?

#sag-aftra strike #wga strike #union stuff

[thelaurenshippen]

Can you tell me if Bridgewater is a struck show? Or could we ask Misha about it at a convention? I’ve had two people tell me different things so I’m unsure.

hey!! as far as I understand the SAG strike rules (as a SAG actor myself) I don't think Bridgewater counts as a struck show.

I've seen a lot of confusion/misinformation on tumblr about this, so I'm gonna take this opportunity to quickly explain the rules as they've been communicated to me as both a SAG actor and a producer of SAG podcasts.

the current SAG strike is for the TV/film contract, which means that struck work includes all television and film, whether on-camera or voice acting. there have been interim agreements issued to certain studios that allow actors to work and promote their work, but in general, actors are not allowed to do any TV or film work, including promotion!

however, this strike does not apply to other contracts that aren't TV/film. these contracts include: podcasts, video games, commercials, audiobooks, and others (though SAG is voting on striking video games at the end of this month). any work done under those contracts can be promoted!

SAG has great infographics on all of that here. now, there is a gray area that comes up when we consider struck companies. this is a term I've seen a lot in conversations around the WGA strike, where we use it to refer to companies like disney, netflix, paramount, etc. etc. - companies that we're striking against entirely, regardless of medium. that has been the spirit of solidarity in the wga audio alliance - even though fiction podcasts can be worked on during the strike, we're not working with companies that are being struck against, which includes even meeting with those people. though there hasn't been specific discussion around this from the union directly, I have personally extended this to the SAG strike - for instance, I made a show for netflix a few years back and have a tumblr ask sitting in my inbox about it and won't answer until the strike is over!

so, my logic: Bridgewater is under a SAG podcast contract and is a production of Grim & Mild and iHeart, neither of which are struck companies for either SAG or the WGA (unless I'm seriously out of the loop on something). I can't speak to what Misha will feel about it, but I'm certainly happy and comfortable to talk about Bridgewater.

I hope that answers (perhaps over answers!) your question! if you go to a convention, say hi to Misha for me!

#bridgewater #sag strike #hollywood strikes #union stuff #sag actor #answered #there's more nuance and complication around some of this in audio specifically #like if we need to strike against audible (bc they're owned by amazon) #and there's not a consensus on that! #so please give grace and patience to any actors you see promoting stuff not tv/film #don't automatically assume they're crossing a picket line! #this stuff is NOT as clear as it might seem from the outside

[cooking-with-hailstones]

HERE WE GOOOOOOO

@allthecanadianpolitics

#ONpoli #CANpoli #Cupe #Strike #Union stuff

[shannonsketches]

So. As much as I want to blame Tumblr for these annoying-ass ads, to my knowledge, Tumblr is not scabbing, because tumblr is not a part of the WGA or SAG, nor is tumblr an individual.

Advertisers still advertise struck companies' work because they are unaffiliated with the unions or with the AMPTP. What SAG said was that any Person who takes money to promote a struck company (influencers, streamers, comedians, etc) will be blacklisted from ever joining the union.

Both SAG and the WGA have reminded the class to not participate in consumer boycotts, because the AMPTP can and will use the numbers drop as an excuse for why they can't pay their workers. We want advertisers to advertise because viewership can be rubbed in the AMPTP's face.

Scabbing is when you take money to do the work of a striking union member who would otherwise normally do it. To the best of my knowledge, Tumblr is not union. Or a person.

We can't, shouldn't, and will not be -- as individuals -- taking money from struck companies to do the work a SAG/WGA member would normally be doing. Tumblr is not an individual taking money from the AMPTP to promote struck work. It's a neutral company advertising like any other platform.

You are 100% Allowed to support One Piece and any other show/movie/etc that comes up. You are allowed to make fanart and watch shows. You (the individual) are NOT allowed to make paid content or advertisements on behalf of the studio. Tumblr is not an individual.

Feel 10000% Free to correct me on this. But I am union and this is my understanding of what constitutes scabbing, based on conversations with peers in my union and those in my sister unions.

I'll tell you what they told us, if you're young or you don't know if you're allowed to talk about shows/movies/etc or do fanart or whatever -- know that you are, and you are encouraged to do so. As it was told to me, "If it's not something a WGA/SAG member would otherwise be contracted and paid to do, it's not considered scabbing"

I will say though, Tumblr is unique in how awful they make anything that might otherwise be good. I really want to enjoy One Piece and @staff is making me absolutely fucking hate it with these nonstop push ads.

#union stuff #strike stuff #just a PSA from a local union artist

[karlicartoons]

NOW THE WRITERS NEED YOUR HELP!!

May 10, 2023

THE WRITER'S GUILD OF AMERICA IS ON STRIKE!! The WGA was negotiating with the AMPTP (the firm that represents ALL STUDIOS) for a few weeks until their contract expired. If they would have reached an agreement, the strike would not have happened. They did not reach an agreement, and their contract expired, so they were able to go on strike!

FUCK the AMPTP!!! Animation workers carried their asses through COVID, and studios have reported RECORD PROFITS in the years since! They don't want to share any of that with the people who MADE THE CONTENT THEY PROFIT OFF OF.

WHAT ARE THEIR DEMANDS???

They're very reasonable, actually. Naturally, the studios refuse to do the right thing, and compensate them fairly for their time. They're totally content with letting us all starve and waste away while they get to buy their third yacht, or whatever. It's awesome :D

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP??

I'm so glad you asked!!! SIGN THIS PETITION TO SAY YOU STAND WITH THE WRITERS!

Consider donating to the Entertainment Community Fund to support the striking writers!

You can form a picket with just one other friend to help shut down any production anywhere in the country! JUST TWO PEOPLE were able to shut down a Marvel production because they were picketing, and Teamsters refused to cross the picket line. All it took was their refusal to cross one time, and the whole production shut down. You can do this WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE UNITED STATES! YOU CAN REFUSE TO CROSS A PICKET LINE REGARDLESS OF UNION STATUS AND BE PROTECTED FEDERALLY!

Definitely share this around, as well as these resources, to help get everyone educated :] Solidarity!

#WGA Strong #WGA Strike #WGA Solidarity #Do The Write Thing #Union Stuff

[agent-bash]

You’re a union member correct? What do you think of the double strike, and some of the confusion being caused with things like con appearances?

I am. Obviously, it's a very different union, but yes I am a member of a union.

I fully support the double strike. I don’t think any of either union’s demands are unreasonable or unnegotiable, if it's met with good faith. Particularly regarding the use of AI. And the more the AMPTP talks trying to defend themselves and their stances, the harder I roll my eyes.

It’s always important to remember when/if you’re struggling to get behind WGA and SAG-AFRTA and their demands for money and the like, is that the union represents all members, while we tend to immediately think of the severe minority. Not everyone in the union is pulling in millions or even hundreds of thousands for every appearance they make. Not every tv actor is getting paid a million dollars per episode like the core 3 from TBBT did. Most of them aren't. Unions are fighting for that dude you’re distracted by in the background because you swear you’ve seen him before. Or that woman whose voice is so familiar even though she only spoke two sentences in the movie you're watching. The majority of SAG-AFRTA members don’t even make enough to qualify for the union's health insurance plan. So yeah, a good thing to keep in mind.

As to cons, if it were me, there’s no confusion; they’re a no-go. Because, like it or not, conventions, meet and greets etc., do promote the shows/studios that the union is striking against. Even if it's not a studio-involved appearance, like San Diego Comic-Con, the real target of that rule. Actors can't promote at all. Even unofficially. And that's exactly what this convention is. Unofficial promotion. It's why this stuff isn't usually in actors' contracts. Because studios see them as free promotions. They don't have to pay actors to appear, and it has the chance to draw eyes to their shows or movies. Win-Win for them.

Then there are the photos for the meet and greets. People are going to tag the show on their socials. Either the shows Insta directly or in the tags. That's more promotion. And while I don't think that is something that can/should be held against the actors in an official capacity, a) it could be, and b) if it were me, I'd feel like a scab.

There's also thinking of it from a fan perspective. They can't talk about the show. A large part of the reason people are there. People are (rightly) curious about their takes on the show. The characters they play. Where the next season is going to go. Or, in the case of Jesse, Nick and Torrey, what they think their characters' are getting up to off-screen. They can't answer any of those questions. They can't talk about upcoming projects they may have been in prep for. Even generic career day-like questions, like 'How did you get into acting,' carry an element of risk in answering. So what's left to ask? 'Top things to do in Chicago?' 'What is your favourite hidden gem restaurant?' 'Jesse, what golf course do you most want to play?' Not anything the majority - even of fans who show up for events like this - care about. So I'd feel like an ass, asking fans to pay money to not get an actual convention experience.

#asked and answered #union stuff #wga strike #sag strike

[autogynocelia]

At da convention

#my pics #me #union stuff

[dirt-grub]

i did listen to your song actually! it was very good. i have no way of supporting or joining anything right now but things will probably change in the future. getting involved in community stuff is a thing i've been waiting to be able to do for a long while. it'll happen eventually.

ahh thank you so much!!! :D It means a ton to me!!! I totally get how you feel, my involvement is mostly little jobs here and there (like the song in question) since sharing the load is a big part of the union so its been manageable. We'll be happy to have ya if you decide to join!

#charlie talks #anon chats #answered asks #union stuff

[a-method-in-it]

In light of Roe v. Wade being struck down, I would like to give you one concrete thing you can do to help protect some of the people in your life that you might not ever think of:

Unionize your workplace.

After the opinion leaked, a bunch of unions started negotiating language in their contracts that mandates employee health insurance must cover all types of reproductive care, including abortion, and even language about covering travel expenses if someone needs to go out of state to access reproductive care.

This will not fix things, obviously. But it is a form of harm reduction that can be incredibly powerful.

It also puts the burden of dealing with the fallout from this decision where it belongs: On the corporate fuckers who have spent years donating to right-wing politicians for the tax breaks and didn't much care what else came of it.

Let them foot the bill for it, at the very least.

Solidarity.

#method speaks #union stuff #unionize your workplace

[genocide-joe-buries-dogs]

Swedish workers kicking Teslas ass! Let's Go!!

#union strong #union stuff

[anotherfagontheinternet]

THIS IS ILLEGAL. you have every right to discuss your wages and work conditions with your coworkers. in fact, you SHOULD do so often. when i worked at the place that had the policy above, i was hired at a rate that was $2 more than the most senior kitchen staff, and the manager did NOT want people to know that.

aside from breaking labor laws, the place was terrible, so i quit after a day and told everyone how much i'd been hired at. :)

#workers rights #union stuff

[thebearbonefacts]

#bring. back. the. wobblies #excerpt #picture #labor unions #union stuff

[nando161mando]

MEAA membership just doubled

#meaa #actors equity #media alliance #margot robbie #union strong #trade unions #unionize #pro union #union solidarity #unions #unionise #union strike #union stuff #union #ausgov #politas #auspol #tasgov #taspol #australia #neoliberal capitalism #fuck neoliberals #anthony albanese #albanese government #humanrights #wages #wage gap #wage increase #salary #poverty