Biden urges ‘fair deal’ for striking Hollywood writers

US President Joe Biden speaks before a screening of “American Born Chinese” in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 8, 2023. During the event, Biden said he wants to see striking movie and television writers in Hollywood get a “fair deal” on contract negotiations quickly. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP

UPDATED 9:44 a.m.

WASHINGTON, United States—US President Joe Biden said Monday, May 8, he wants to see striking movie and television writers in Hollywood get a “fair deal” on contract negotiations quickly.

“I sincerely hope the writers’ strike in Hollywood gets resolved and writers are given the fair deal they deserve as soon as possible,” he said during a film screening at the White House in honor of the Asian-American community.

It is the first time the pro-union Democrat has commented on the strike, which kicked off after negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and major US studios and streaming services failed last week.

The thousands of picketing writers say they are striking for better compensation in a field that has been disrupted by the streaming industry.

Writers say they are looking for more stable working conditions and a better share of the profits generated by the rise of streaming.

An immediate impact has already been seen with the suspension of several late-night shows. Disruptions to television series and films are more likely the longer the strike goes on.

The last Hollywood writers’ strike was in 2007, when writers paralyzed the industry for 100 days, and cost California’s economy $2.1 billion.  /ra

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