Katie Reis, a Hollywood lighting technician with 27 years of experience, has been affected by the recent strikes in the entertainment industry. She has not received a paycheck since May and has been turned down for jobs at Target and Whole Foods. As a result, she is now looking for seasonal work at the mall. Her son Alex, a high school senior, is also feeling the impact as they dip into his college fund to make ends meet.
These strikes have disrupted the lives of many crew members, who are considered the blue-collar workers of the industry. They have depleted their savings accounts, lost their homes, and struggled to afford basic necessities like groceries. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees estimates that its West Coast members alone lost $1.4 billion in wages between May and September 16.
The settlements for the screenwriters’ strike and the ongoing actors’ strike are still uncertain. Even if agreements are reached soon, it is not expected that production will return to normal until January at the earliest. This extended period of uncertainty and loss of work hours not only affects the crew members’ income but also impacts funding for pension and health care plans.
Entertainment workers who were not involved in the strikes are feeling frustrated and overlooked. They will not be receiving pay increases when they return to work, despite the hardships they have faced during this time. Many fear that the effects of the strikes will continue even after they are settled.
More than two million Americans work in jobs related to making TV shows and films, with the majority working in support roles such as set dressers, camera operators, carpenters, and janitors. These workers are now suffering as a result of the strikes, and many are seeking financial assistance from organizations such as the Entertainment Community Fund and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
Many workers have had to dip into their savings or seek alternative sources of income to make ends meet. Some have withdrawn money from their pension plans, while others have been forced to delay their plans for homeownership. The impact of the strikes has been felt across the country, affecting soundstages in California, New York, Canada, and England.
Overall, the strikes have had a devastating effect on the lives and finances of crew members in the entertainment industry. Many are hopeful that agreements will be reached soon, but the long-lasting effects and the recovery process will extend well beyond the end of the strikes.