#sparkchamber 090423 — Labor Day
Today is Labor Day and #sparkchamber is taking the day off — a concept that only exists thanks to the dedication and hard work of the labor movement. Organizers in the past fought for workers’ rights, better wages, reasonable hours, safer working conditions, and the provision of health benefits and aid to workers who were injured or retired. And the fight continues.
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists [SAG-AFTRA], representing 160,000 actors and entertainment professionals, is in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers [AMPTP] — the bargaining group that represents major Hollywood studios and streaming services including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros. Discovery — battling for wage increases, improved health care coverage, compensation for virtual auditions, and protections around their likeness and talent being exploited via artificial intelligence.
The 11,500 writers in film, television, radio, and online media represented by the Writers Guild of America [WGA] have been on strike for months following failed negotiations with AMPTP over higher compensation and residuals — especially for streaming content, minimum staffing and duration of work for writers’ rooms, and regulated use of artificial intelligence on projects.
Possible strikes on the horizon include service employees and flight attendants, and all eyes are on auto workers as the United Auto Workers [UAW] is in negotiations with the Big Three auto companies. The current UAW contract is set to expire on September 14, and on August 25, the union announced its members voted to approve possible strikes at all three auto companies over elimination of payment tiers, double-digit pay raises, restoration of cost-of-living adjustments, a secure pension and increased retiree pay, right to strike over plant closures, protection for temporary workers, and more paid time off.
On August 14, President Joe Biden called on the two parties to come to an agreement and avoid a strike, while expressing support for the UAW. He said, “The UAW helped create the American middle class, and as we move forward in this transition to new technologies, the UAW deserves a contract that sustains the middle class.”
Labor Day is a tribute to the social and economic achievements of workers everywhere, honoring their contribution to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of countries throughout the world. We stand in solidarity.
It also marks the official end of summer, so we’re off to the last official BBQ of the season. Thank you workers, thank you organizers, thank you grill.
1.] Where do ideas come from?
Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.
Stephen King — author in the genres of horror, supernatural, science fiction, suspense, crime, and fantasy
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it
Wayne Gretzky — ice-hockey player, perhaps the greatest ever
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
If I had nine hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first six sharpening my axe
Abraham Lincoln — lawyer, statesman, 16th president of the United States
4.] How do you know when you are done?
Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
Ovid — Roman poet from way back in the day