July 25, 2023

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took additional steps to support the people and businesses that are the backbone of our region’s essential creative economy through two motions.  

Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Lindsey P. Horvath put forward a motion (Item 4) to support the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) by urging the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to return to the negotiating table and end this strike by meeting a reasonable agreement with SAG-AFTRA. The motion also calls on relevant County departments to quantify the economic impacts of the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes on employees and contractors that serve the entertainment industry in the County.  

A second motion (Item 21) authored by Supervisor Horvath and Supervisor Kathryn Barger looks to support small businesses impacted by the ongoing entertainment strike by connecting them to programs and services that can keep them in business. The Board also calls on County departments to explore the feasibility of standing up and resourcing a business interruption fund and to work with State and Federal partners to identify available resources.  

“The people who power Los Angeles are on strike and deserve a fair deal. Instead of returning to the negotiating table, the AMPTP’s strategy is to inflict pain, causing people to lose their housing and livelihoods, with the futures of small businesses also on the line,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “While billionaires continue ruthless games, LA County will stand in solidarity with the actors, writers, and workers without whom this industry would not exist, and in support of the small businesses that fuel entertainment operations and productions. We can all reduce the impacts of the ongoing entertainment strike by supporting small, local businesses.” 

“The entertainment industry is a critical component of Los Angeles County’s economy and is interconnected with many other employees and contractors. From set designers to make-up artists and prop house sales representatives, these workers are dependent on the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, many of them are starting to feel the collateral pain from the simultaneous strikes – not to mention, have not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, we must take necessary steps to protect these workers – while also supporting and uplifting union members in their pursuit of just agreements. By fostering equitable treatment of entertainment industry workers, we enhance both the working and creative conditions that profoundly impact the lives of Angelenos through the arts,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. 

“This motion is about helping small businesses weather the storm,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The entertainment industry strike is having a ripple effect on many mom and pop businesses that, through no fault of their own, are having a tough time making ends meet due to an unexpected loss of clients and revenue. The pandemic taught us that County resources can be mobilized to effectively help small businesses owners. This is another opportunity for our County to think outside of the box and determine how we can help the small business community.”  

These efforts to support our region’s entertainment industry come after the Board unanimously supported the WGA in their call for a fair contract through a motion put forward by Supervisors Horvath and Barger on June 6. 

The County’s Department of Economic Opportunity will host a webinar for creative sector workers and businesses impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes on Monday, July 31 at 3 p.m. Register at bit.ly/StrikeResourcesWebinar.  

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