Writers with disabilities face an even more challenging time wga Writers strike, with potential loss of more than $2 million in earnings, but still support work stoppage Inevitable Foundation‘S Disabled Writers Strike Impact Survey,
According to the report (read Here), which is not affiliated with the Writers Guild of America, 57% said they would lose work or income, and 53% said they would lose career prospects or momentum. Forty-seven percent said they would have to find alternative employment outside the entertainment industry and in the event of a work stoppage, which is now underway, writers with disabilities surveyed said they would lose a total of more than $2 million in contractually committed income, Not including any potential job opportunities.
However, despite the disadvantages of having to stop working, writers with disabilities still think it’s worth the fight.
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“With another strike, people like me who are at the bottom will suffer the most. But those strikes are a small price to pay for fair treatment of all writers,” said a disabled writer quoted in the survey .
Another writer sums up the issues at hand: “I think a strike could ultimately have an extremely positive effect. Average writer income is low and career instability is on the rise. The industry is changing and if writers are to get what they deserve If you don’t fight for it, it won’t be a viable career for much longer.
Many are particularly concerned about the potentially long duration of the work stoppage. When asked what they would need to keep afloat in the event of a strike, 50% said they would need financial support, and 47% said career support to get back on their feet once the strike is over May need it.
Forty-six percent said they have strong job prospects, meaning they’ve had multiple conversations with the same network or streamer about a specific project. In the event of a work stoppage, up to 100% of these potential earnings would be lost. One author shared that they were “Planning to move somewhere with a lower cost of living to get out of the strike.”
Many respondents are also extremely concerned about health care coverage. Another author said in response to the survey, “If there is a strike and I am unable to work, I will face exorbitant costs for insurance or go out and face exorbitant costs out of pocket.”
The last WGA strike in 2008 lasted over 3 months. But 43% of working disabled screenwriters have less than 3 months of savings, and 67% have 6 months or less of savings.
The strike occurred after the WGA and AMPTP were unable to reach an agreement on the termination of the WGA contract at 11:59 pm on Monday night.
Another author, in response to the Inevitable Foundation survey, said: “The average writer’s income has plummeted and career instability has risen. The industry is changing and if writers don’t fight for what they deserve, it’s going to take a long time.” Wouldn’t be a viable career. I’m not sure the specifics the Guild is proposing is the right solution, but writers have to do something.