As a lifelong advocate for worker’s rights and fair compensation, I wholeheartedly endorse Kamala Harris for President in the 2024 election. Having spent my career in the entertainment industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles of writers, crew members, and musicians to secure their rightful dues.
Hollywood’s unions and guilds are beginning to rally behind Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
On Thursday, the political action committee of the Writers Guild of America West officially backed Kamala Harris for president. In a released statement, Meredith Stiehm, head of WGAW, emphasized that Harris has been consistently supportive of writers, notably by refusing to cross our picket line during the 2023 strike.
“In her role as president, she intends to build upon the efforts of the Biden-Harris administration, focusing on upholding worker’s rights, fostering quality employment opportunities, encouraging fair competition, and safeguarding pension benefits for workers,” she explained further.
The decision aligns with IATSE’s endorsement of the vice president. On July 22, following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he wouldn’t seek reelection, the union for crew members voted unanimously to support Harris. They praised the administration she was part of as one of the most “pro-union” in history and highlighted the policies she championed that positively impacted workers.
Harris made the decisive vote to approve the American Rescue Plan Act, a legislation package that prolonged the additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits, covered the costs of unemployment insurance premiums, and issued $1,400 direct payments, among other benefits. In her role as head of the White House labor task force, she consulted with IATSE to offer insights on executive actions that aimed to strengthen unionization within the industry.
In a statement, Matthew D. Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), declared their determination to support Vice President Kamala Harris during the November elections. He emphasized that Donald Trump had broken a picket line set by IATSE members back in 2004, while filming The Apprentice.
The very next day following IATSE’s endorsement, the American Federation of Musicians (US & Canada) also endorsed this decision after a unanimous vote from their board members.
“President Tino Gagliardi stated that The Federation supports all Americans who aspire for a country that values unity, fosters inclusivity, and looks towards a collective future while treating every citizen with dignity and respect. In this context, The AFM proudly backs Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate. For musicians prioritizing the safeguard of their rights from exploitation in both creative and labor aspects, and ensuring the stability of our wages, benefits, and retirement plans, Harris is the obvious choice.”
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2024-08-01 22:56