SAG-AFTRA, WGA hold Day of Solidarity Rally

Several hundred members of SAG-AFTRA, the WGA and other union members, were joined by their supporters as the mass gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park on Tuesday to demonstrate steadfast support for the ongoing joint strike, which has now entered its second month.

Joining a movement being held in LA, New York, Atlanta, as well as other cities, members from the local chapter of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists passionately chanted slogans like “Hot labor summer!” and “Labor united cannot be defeated!” near the iconic Buckingham Fountain.

The rally featured speeches from local union leaders and received endorsements from prominent political figures, including U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Illinois state Sen. Lakesia Collins, and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd).

Newly elected SAG-AFTRA Chicago local president Charles Gardner addressed the crowd during the rally, stating, “This is a labor revolution. And those aren’t just my words — the media is catching it, and they’re calling it a labor revolution. How powerful is that?”

SAG-AFTRA has been engaged in a strike since July 13, uniting with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in a historic joint strike, the first of its kind in more than six decades. While negotiations continue between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a comprehensive agreement has yet to be reached.

The striking actors are advocating for improved wages, revenue sharing, and safeguards against the potential use of artificial intelligence to replace human performers. In a press release by the Chicago Federation of Labor, the demands of the actors are outlined, showcasing their determination to secure fair compensation and protect their roles in the evolving entertainment landscape.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond lent his support yesterday as well. Redmond ralled the crowd as he said, “A rising tide lifts all boats. This is our fight and it’s time for AMPTP to get the message.”