Hollywood Labor Union Strikes Enter Fourth Month, Businesses and Livelihoods Impacted

The labor crisis in Hollywood shows no signs of abating as two major labor unions, the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild, continue their strikes that have now extended into their fourth month. With no resolution in sight, the entertainment production industry has been brought to a standstill, and the effects are rippling beyond the city limits of Hollywood.

Businesses thousands of miles away are beginning to feel the pinch of the ongoing strikes. Cindy Gano, owner of Gano Inc., a wardrobe and costume supply shop in Doraville, Georgia, lamented the dire situation her business is facing. “The business has been impacted greatly. 98% of our orders are gone,” she revealed, further explaining that the shop has resorted to an “appointment only” shopping schedule. Gano Inc. is struggling to survive on loans, and many other companies are on the verge of closure due to the ongoing labor disputes.

The strikes have dealt a heavy blow to countless business owners like Gano, who have invested years of hard work and dedication into their ventures. For Gano, her business is not just a source of income; it is her heart and livelihood.

The core of the negotiations revolves around concerns about the unregulated use of artificial intelligence and its impact on actors’ pay within the rapidly evolving streaming landscape. The disputes have cast uncertainty over when the labor unions will reach an agreement with major studios, leaving business owners and workers anxious for a swift resolution.

The ripple effects extend to states like Georgia, which have become integral to the film industry. Georgia, in particular, has evolved into a major hub for film-making, with a significant number of businesses serving the industry. Kelsey Moore, Executive Director for the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition, highlighted the broader impact: “We’re also seeing a number of businesses that didn’t previously realize that they were part of Georgia’s film industry, that they served it indirectly. So restaurants, dry cleaners, antique shops, they’re really kind of seeing a drop in revenue and a drop in customers.”

States such as Texas and Florida, which also host significant portions of the film industry, are grappling with similar challenges. The strikes have affected not only the major players in Hollywood but also the smaller film hubs that contribute significantly to the industry’s ecosystem.

As negotiations between Hollywood studios and labor unions continue to falter, the affected individuals and businesses can only hold onto the hope that a resolution will emerge soon. The strikes have demonstrated the interconnectedness of the entertainment industry, touching the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood itself.