A clip from the sitcom “The Nanny” is going viral on social media. It shows Fran Fine, played by current Screen Actors Guild president Fran Drescher, telling his boss one of his mother’s three cardinal rules. “Never cross the picket line.”
Not only does Drescher abide by that rule in real life, he also leads a union representing the 160,000 actors who went on strike on July 13th.
The stakeholder strike is centered around profit sharing and protecting artificial intelligence. The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May. Writers say rewards have stagnated due to the rise of streaming services. It was the first time since 1960 that two unions had gone on strike at the same time.
The strike calls into question consumers who want to support workers. Is watching Netflix or going to the movies the equivalent of crossing the proverbial picket line?
So far, it doesn’t appear to be the case.
Rows of striking workers in front of their workplaces or employers (or, in this case, in front of major studios) typically form picket lines. Historically, those who support these workers never crossed the line.
“The idea that people watching Netflix or going to the movies are crossing the picket line is overkill. Where are the pickets after all?” James Bennett, professor of economics at George Mason University says. Traditionally, the picket line should include the people doing the picketing, he said, adding that “virtual picket lines are a new concept.”
While unions with digital media workers and companies that offer online shopping are activating the idea of digital picket lines, actors and writers unions are urging consumers to watch TV and movies on streaming services. We are not asking you to stop watching or cancel the “service”. Barbenheimer” tickets.
Whether or not an individual consumer decides to watch depends on their purpose.
“The question for all workers and consumers on strike is: Which side are you on?” says Dan Kornfield, a sociology professor and labor expert at Vanderbilt University. When workers strike, there are ways for consumers and the public to show support. In some cases, they march with workers in picket lines. Or you can boycott.
Mr Cornfield said boycotts could hurt businesses economically, but they would also send a broader message that people valued fair treatment of workers.
“We really need to listen to the demands of the striking unions,” said Adam Seth Litwin, a professor of industrial and labor relations at Cornell University. Seeing the content that writers and actors create might prove that streamers and studios need them because of the revenue the shows generate, he said.
On the one hand, streamers may be able to survive a lengthy strike because of the large inventory of content they have amassed. Litwin said Netflix and other companies can “keep it going much longer” if customers keep paying monthly fees.
And if no deal is reached, trade unions may be keeping consumer boycotts as a tool for later stages of negotiations, experts say.
As for not going to the cinema, it could have a negative impact on many of the theaters and their employees who are struggling after the pandemic. “At the moment, it doesn’t make much sense to release this in theaters,” Litwin said.
Still, some people want to make a point. David Escovedo is a former improvisational actor from Los Angeles currently studying for his PhD. In the UK he felt he had to do something to support his striking friends and decided to cancel his Netflix subscription even though the union did not demand it. said.
“To be honest, I really like Netflix,” he said. “‘Black Mirror’ is one of my favorite shows of him.”
But he added that he wanted to send a message because it can be difficult to get the attention of such a big institution, especially. When he called it off, he made it clear that he supported the strike. “It sends a message that there is support,” he says.
Escovedo said he also subscribes to other streaming services (Disney+, which contains many of his young son’s favorites) and has no plans to cancel them just yet.
Others, including Mr. Litwin, a professor of industrial and labor relations, are also considering this. “I haven’t canceled my streaming subscription yet, but I’m listening,” he said, suggesting he could follow suit if unions demand a boycott.
“We really want people to go see the movie,” said actress and striking Screen Actors Guild member Janine Granda. She said she is planning a “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” double feature with her friends this weekend.
Ms. Granda said that if the unions changed their minds, “they would listen to us.”
