Upset over the writers’ focus on “picket line frivolity” as opposed to working toward a contract, the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers have voiced their disapproval of the Writers Guild of America’s joining Wednesday’s Service Employees International Union protest against General Electric.
The SEIU is marching against General Electric because of a contract dispute between security officers represented by the SEIU and GE’s Arden Realty.
“Talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down Friday over jurisdictional demands that would expand the power of the guild’s organizers and have little bearing on the issues that matter most to working writers,” the AMPTP said.
“As reported in Hollywood today, the organizers’ focus on union power and not negotiating on new media will be once again demonstrated today at a labor action in Southern California involving Arden Realty and its security personnel that has nothing to do with the core issues of new media,” they continued.
Producers are upset over what they view as “personal attacks and picket line frivolity,” such as WGA correspondence that calls AMPTP officials liars, an AMPTP parody Web site and a mock exorcism at a picket line.
“We must not forget that this WGA strike is beginning to cause serious economic damage to many people in the entertainment business. While the WGA’s world-class healthcare benefits remain secure, tens of thousands of below-the-line workers are seeing their health insurance jeopardized by the continuing strike. In addition, our entire Southern California community is beginning to feel the effects of the grinding shutdown of an industry that is the lifeblood of the region’s economy,” a letter from the AMPTP board of directors to companies represented by the AMPTP said.
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