A formal announcement was issued to WGA members that the Writers Guild of America will picket NBC’s Chicago office (454 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60611) on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. CDT.
The momentum grows as striking WGA members and supporters join in solidarity.
Teamsters Local 727, who represent the Drivers who work alongside WGA members on the many television and film projects produced in Chicago gave their full support to striking WGA members in an email statement to its members today.
Teamsters Local 727:
On May 1st, approximately 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike following over six weeks of stalled negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The WGA consists of television and feature film writers who are fighting for job stability, higher base pay, and higher residuals.
The striking WGA members have the full support of Teamsters Local 727, who represent the Drivers who work alongside WGA members on the many television and film projects produced in Chicago. Multiple news agencies published articles after Teamsters Local 727 and IATSE union members who, in solidarity, refused to cross the WGA’s picket line. Click here to read the story published in the Hyde Park Herald and here to read another article published on Reel Chicago.
WGA Captain Brett Neveu sent this Tweet confirming the WGA Strike Event at NBC and called for solidarity. “Wear red and/or black & make your signs of SUPPORT! Can’t wait to see SAG/AFTRA & DGA & other amazing unions there!”
As the WGA prepares to picket the NBC Tower tomorrow past picket lines have been honored on The Chi location last Friday, shutting down production in the middle of the day, and also at the entry gates of Cinespace Studios on Monday. Union members of IATSE 476 and the Teamsters Local 727 would not cross the picket line. See the list below to see how significant their support is.
Cinespace is home to a number of TV series including Chicago Fire, P.D. and Med, The Bear, and The Chi. The Bear and the One Chicago series have all recently wrapped for the season and are on hiatus at this time. It is unknown when they will return to production. Without writers putting words on paper, the actors will have nothing to say.
This is how significant it is to have the support of the Teamsters Local 727 and IATSE Local 476:
Teamsters Local 727 represent the drivers for all of the transportation needs in production.
IATSE Local 476 represents the following Job Categories:
- Gaffer
- Best Boy (Electric)
- Fixture Gaffer
- Special Operator/Fixture Rate
- Electrician
- Generator Operator
- Production Van Driver/Generator Operator
- Lighting Console Programmer/Dimmer Board Operator
- Key Grip
- Best Boy (Grip)
- Dolly Grip/Crane Operator
- Crane Tech
- Grip
- Scenic Artist
- Set Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Sculptor/Modeler
- Set Decorator
- Lead Person / On-Set Dresser
- Buyer / Gang Boss
- Swing Gang (Set)
- Prop Master
- Armorer
- Assistant Props (On-Set)
- Props Buyer
- Props
- Coordinator (Carpenter)
- Carpenter Foreman / Standby Carpenter
- Gang Boss/Construction
- Carpenters / Welders
- Tool Room Technician
- Paint Supervisor
- Painter/Plasterer Foreman
- Painters/Plasterers
- Paper Hangers / Standby Painter
- Labor Foreman
- Laborers
- Surface Protection Foreman
- Stylist (Wardrobe)
- Script Supervisor
- Sound Mixer
- Sound Boom
- Sound Technician
- Sound Playback
- Video Engineer/Computer Video Supervisor
- Video Assist/Playback
- Video Assist Assistant
- Teleprompter
- Make-up
- Hair Stylist
- First Aid
- Special Effects Coordinator
- Licensed Pyro Operator
- Asst Pyro Technician
- Special Effects (Foreman)
- Special Effects (Assist)
- Special Effects Welder Foreman
- Special Effects Welder
- Heating/Air Conditioner Operator
- Craft Service (Foreman)
- Craft Service (Assist)
- Greensman Foreman
- On-Set Greensman
- Greensman
- Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker
- Production Office Coordinator
- Asst. Production Officer Coordinator
- Travel Coordinator
- Art Department Coordinator
- Set Dec Coordinator
- Accountant Including Payroll
- Assistant Acct Including Payroll
- Script Coordinator
- Writers Assistant
- Illustrator/Storyboard Artist
- Facility Stage Manager
We will continue to update the strike coverage and its impact on Chicago production.
See full national WGA strike coverage on Reel 360
See Chicago WGA strike coverage on Reel Chicago
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