The nonfiction and scripted film and TV workers are making progress with their plans to secure fair pay from streaming companies that are now increasingly turning to nonfiction projects and making immense profits.
AMP in the post
Workers At The Production House Behind “Harry and Meghan” Receive Voluntary Attention From Management
Workers at documentary powerhouse Story Syndicate, which is behind successful documentaries like “Harry and Meghan,” “I’ll Be Gone In the Dark,” and the “Unknown,” series have managed to secure attention from management on their stand to receive their share of what they called “windfall profits for the largest streaming platforms in the world” on the back of their work.
Depending on the number of titles being produced at any one time, around 25 to 100 producers and 12 to 30 editorial employees will be represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG) respectively, according to the groups.
As for the successful unionization, they credited it to a “remarkable example of inter-union solidarity.”
Story Syndicate, which was founded by couple Dan Cogan and Liz Garbus, will have to sit at the negotiation table with the workers or their representatives.
However, giving their workers a fair terms deal is something they said they are very keen to do.
AMP in the post
“At Story Syndicate, we believe the way we work with our employees is as important as the quality of the work itself,” the company shared in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter.
“We look forward to making a fair deal with our incredible employees.”
In a statement, WGAE executive director Lowell Peterson said the workers “join many other nonfiction TV creators who recognize the power of collective bargaining and the WGAE to improve standards so people can build sustainable careers doing the work they care about.”
The unions are celebrating this win as “another milestone in ongoing efforts to bring about more documentary and non-fiction work under collective bargaining agreements.”
AMP in the post
Historically, documentary productions companies have been non-union, but the rise of streaming platforms has changed that and workers in the sector have been forced to organize.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with WGA strike right now. Come back here often for all Story Syndicate spoilers, news, and updates.
Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com