The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA are pushing California lawmakers to grant unemployment benefits to striking workers.
In California, workers currently do not receive unemployment pay when they are on strike. But state lawmakers are working on a bill, Sb 799, that would extend benefits to workers who have been on strike for at least two weeks.
If signed into law, the bill would go into effect on Jan. 1. If the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes are resolved by then, the bill would not have any effect on those union members. But it could play a role in future strikes, both in Hollywood and in other industries.
Unions are lining up in support of the bill, while the business groups have opposed it.
Sen. Anthony Portantino, the lead author, argued in an interview that the bill will help the economy and extend security to workers, while leveling the playing field between labor and management.
In California, workers currently do not receive unemployment pay when they are on strike. But state lawmakers are working on a bill, Sb 799, that would extend benefits to workers who have been on strike for at least two weeks.
If signed into law, the bill would go into effect on Jan. 1. If the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes are resolved by then, the bill would not have any effect on those union members. But it could play a role in future strikes, both in Hollywood and in other industries.
Unions are lining up in support of the bill, while the business groups have opposed it.
Sen. Anthony Portantino, the lead author, argued in an interview that the bill will help the economy and extend security to workers, while leveling the playing field between labor and management.
- 9/7/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA will rally on Thursday at Amazon Studio in Culver City to highlight their push a bill that would provide unemployment insurance to striking workers in California. Striking writers and actors in New York and New Jersey are already eligible to receive unemployment benefits after 14 days on the picket line, but not in California.
Senate Bill 799, if it makes it through the Legislature and is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would change that. It passed through the Assembly Insurance Committee last week and the Legislature has until September 14 to send it to the governor’s desk for signature.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, who spoke before the Insurance Committee last week in Sacramento in support of the bill, will be among the speakers at tomorrow’s picket and rally, which will get underway at 11 am.
“Writers have had to rely on strike loans from our union,...
Senate Bill 799, if it makes it through the Legislature and is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would change that. It passed through the Assembly Insurance Committee last week and the Legislature has until September 14 to send it to the governor’s desk for signature.
WGA West President Meredith Stiehm and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, who spoke before the Insurance Committee last week in Sacramento in support of the bill, will be among the speakers at tomorrow’s picket and rally, which will get underway at 11 am.
“Writers have had to rely on strike loans from our union,...
- 9/7/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.