Happy Fall!
It’s been a little over a month since we had our solidarity rally at Reverchon Park, and I want to say thank you to each and every one of you that came out with your signs and your shirts and, most importantly, your SPIRIT! The rally was a success because of YOU!
As you all have certainly heard, the Writers Guild of America, after striking for 148 days, reached an agreement with the AMPTP to end the strike and get back to work. The WGA announced that 99% of the members who cast ballots voted to ratify the deal. This contract is being called HISTORIC and a win by leaders, and is widely praised by members, with major gains in payment, size of show staffs and control of artificial intelligence in scripts. I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say, I couldn’t be more proud of our sister union for standing strong, fighting for, and winning the contract they deserve.
With that said, we are still in the fight! We have not reached a deal and we cannot grow weary. On Oct. 2, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP returned to the negotiating table. And, as of the penning of this letter, we are halfway into week two of those negotiations. Not much has been said about the progress, but we should all remain hopeful that both parties are working towards a fair deal for our members.
In the meantime, stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Keep training, ensure your materials are updated, network where possible and, while we're still striking, continue posting your support on your social media accounts, encourage those that are representing us in the negotiations, and urge the AMPTP to agree to a fair deal to end this strike so that we can all get back to doing the work we love so much.
YOU are the strength of this union!
One day longer. One day stronger. As long as it takes.
Nikki Dixon
Dallas-Fort Worth Local President