Show of Union Solidarity in San Francisco-Northern California

Local unions throughout Northern California have rallied behind SAG-AFTRA on the picket lines, including the Teamsters Locals 665 & 856, IATSE Local 16, AGMA, IBEW, Cement Masons, Nurses, Teachers, UNITE HERE Local 19 and SEIU. The California Labor Fed, South Bay Labor Council, San Francisco Labor Council and Sacramento Central Labor Council have been instrumental in activating union supporters at strike actions throughout Northern California.

Chloe Osmer with the California Labor Federation and Jean Cohen of the South Bay Labor Council were among the first to rally support for the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike, gathering fellow unionists to join the picket line outside of Netflix headquarters.

In rallies throughout Northern California, the show of support has been monumental.

Kim Tavaglione of the San Francisco Labor Council promised SF-NC members that “San Francisco is standing strong behind SAG-AFTRA.”

Joanne Desmond of IATSE Local 16 pointed out that, “These [SAG-AFTRA] artists spend years honing their craft … and we [the members of IATSE] are here to support our fellow unionists in their current struggle to get a fair wage on key economic and technological issues pertaining to their craft.”

Fabrizio Sasso of the Sacramento Central Labor Council assured members, “You are not alone in this struggle; people who are in the halls of power are listening to you and they are fighting alongside you.”

Lawmakers and government officials have voiced their concerns about the major studios’ unwillingness to return to the table and have vowed to maintain their commitment to union workers.

Assemblymember Ash Kalra has shown unwavering support, picketing alongside members outside of Netflix headquarters and speaking to the crowd of over 300 strong in front of San Francisco City Hall, saying that he is prepared to propose supportive legislation. 

In the midst of the legislative recess, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty committed to those gathered at the State Capitol that the tax credits renewed to encourage retention of production in the state were passed with the intention for the studios “to take care of their workers” and added, “We need to make sure we stand up for workers who not only entertain us, but also create the economy and jobs throughout California.”  

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who rallied the crowd of supporters at the State Capitol, has been fervent in making this same point, as quoted by CapRadio, “‘The state is a full participant in helping this vital industry grow,” Steinberg said, pointing to more than $1.6 billion in film tax credits over five years recently approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

He said the money should come with a standard “that the working men and women have the ability to support themselves and their families. That’s what this fight is about.”