(TargetLiberty.org) – On Monday, President Biden stated that he was hoping that the Hollywood writers currently on strike would be given a fair deal “as soon as possible.” This is the first time that the President has spoken about the strike, which was started by the union representing thousands of television and film writers last week.
At a White House screening of the television show “American Born Chinese” in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden remarked that “nights like these” served as a reminder of the crucial role of storytelling. He added that storytellers deserved “dignity” and “respect” and proceeded to note that he was hoping the writers currently on strike would be able to get a “fair deal” quickly.
The Writers Guild of America branches representing 11,500 TV, film, and other entertainment writers went on strike last week following their negotiations for new contracts. Writers have seen their payments shrink over the years despite the fact that streaming services have expanded their business. The guild points out that it is becoming increasingly harder for writers to earn a steady income, as streaming services have been reducing the staff they use to produce content.
This is the first time that President Biden has issued any remarks regarding the dispute, previously choosing to remain silent despite his claims about being the “most pro-union president in history.” Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had also previously commented that the administration did not provide comments on ongoing strikes but that they were calling for both sides to continue negotiating.
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