California taxpayers could soon be on the hook for paying unemployment benefits to striking Hollywood actors and writers.
The Democrat-controlled California Senate voted Thursday to grant unemployment benefits to workers who are on strike, passing the bill on a vote of 27-12. The state’s assembly passed the legislation earlier last week.
If Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signs SB799 into law, it would take effect on January 1.
Numerous unions are supporting the bill, including the Writers Guild of America and the actors’ guild, SAG-AFTRA.
We need YOUR VOICE as we urge Gov. Newsom to sign in #SB799, which would make striking CA workers eligible for unemployment benefits. #WeEarnedIt
Call the governor’s office: (916) 445-2841
Leave a comment about SB 799: https://t.co/exNotjbybH
Tag him: @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom pic.twitter.com/PSogY9JNZO— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) September 18, 2023
Thank you to the incredible local businesses who have extended their support for #SB799. The benefits of #SB799 go beyond workers. By giving striking workers unemployment benefits, the state of California can also help sustain small businesses and local economies. #WeEarnedIt pic.twitter.com/zQbahIW9oF
— Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) September 14, 2023
Republicans condemned the legislation, saying it will force California taxpayers to subsidize labor activism.
“This is the most crazy thing I have ever seen,” State Sen. Brian Dahle (R) said according to a report in The Sacramento Bee. “This is a labor dispute, not an unemployment dispute… This is a horrible bill. This is a bad idea.”
#Breaking: The Senate just passed #SB799. This bills seeks to pay people who are choosing not to work, not because they don’t have a job. They truly are intent on shutting down #CA businesses. #CALeg pic.twitter.com/hvGcGwLFdv
— Senator Brian Dahle (@BrianDahleCA) September 14, 2023
Unemployment benefit recipients can receive up to $450 a week, according to California law.
The dual Hollywood strikes have brought TV and movie production around the country to a historic halt. Thousands of actors and writers are striking against the major studios and streamers, demanding increased compensation tied to streaming media as well as guarantees that they won’t be replaced by artificial intelligence technology.
But the studios have thus far refused to budge from their positions and appear to be waging a war of attrition against the strikers, many of whom are burning through their personal savings.
Elliot Page joins SAG-AFTRA members as they maintain picket lines in front of NBCUniversal on August 15, 2023 in New York City. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
With no end in sight for the strikes, many workers are having trouble making ends meet and in a city as expensive as Los Angeles and are facing evictions. Some have even resorted to living in their cars.
The WGA is expected to resume negotiations with the studios in matter of days but it remains unclear when SAG-AFTRA will sit down again at the bargaining table.
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