A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DECLARING
SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKING WORKERS OF THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica is home to many members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and entertainment industry (i.e., actors, screenwriters, visual artists), as well as entertainment and production companies such as Lionsgate Entertainment, Starz, Hulu, Bad Robot Productions, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2023, the WGA’s current contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expired, resulting in the industry’s first strike since late 2007 and early 2008; and
WHEREAS, while entertainment company profits have remained high and spending on content has grown, writers report that companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels; and
WHEREAS, on TV staffs, more writers are working at minimum regardless of experience, often for fewer weeks, or in mini rooms, while showrunners are left without a writing staff to complete the season; and
WHEREAS, while series budgets have soared over the past decade, median writer-producer pay has fallen 23% adjusted for inflation, seasons have been shortened, and residuals have decreased, leading to an increasingly difficult environment for writers to maintain full employment and support themselves and their families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
Section 1. The City of Santa Monica supports the striking workers of the Writers Guild of America and urges the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that respects and fairly meets the needs of the Writers Guild of America writers.
Section 2. The City of Santa Monica implores the AMPTP to reach an agreement that provides writers with family-sustaining wages and benefits, job security, and fair working conditions.
Section 3. The City of Santa Monica further implores the WGA and AMPTP to center their negotiations on the needs of writers from historically marginalized communities, who are facing high barriers to entry into the entertainment workforce.
Section 4. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica urges the AMPTP and the WGA to come to an agreement for the hardworking people who have helped our studios achieve the financial success they enjoy today.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney