UPDATED: Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (NY) took to Twitter today in support of the IATSE strike authorization.
“FULL support and solidarity to @IATSE workers in their vote to authorize a strike,” wrote Ocasio-Cortez. She called the 90% turnout with 98% voting “Yes” an “incredible accomplishment.”
AOC said the vote was “exactly the kind of mass-movement organizing we need right now,” before finishing with a hopeful, “May your example inspire others!”
While the New York Democrat did not sign last week’s letter from over 100 members of Congress calling on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to negotiate a fair contract with IATSE, Deadline later learned from her spokesperson that the Congresswoman is “supportive of the strike.” The tweet today to her 12.7 million followers is further evidence of that.
Additionally Rep. Adam Schiff — whose district stretches fro Tujunga to Pasadena to West Hollywood and who led last week’s letter campaign — shared his support for today’s vote.
“This is the next chapter in their efforts to secure living wages and better working conditions,” wrote Schiff. “It is my hope an agreement can be struck soon, and that this will lead to badly-needed changes for these talented individuals.”
FULL support and solidarity to @IATSE workers in their vote to authorize a strike.
90% turnout with 98% voting yes is an incredible accomplishment. It’s exactly the kind of mass-movement organizing we need right now.
May your example inspire others! Stay strong💪🏽 we’re with you https://t.co/QUVv0dX0P0
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 4, 2021
Today, @IATSE members voted to authorize a strike.
This is the next chapter in their efforts to secure living wages and better working conditions.
It is my hope an agreement can be struck soon, and that this will lead to badly-needed changes for these talented individuals.— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) October 4, 2021
PREVIOUSLY: It was announced this morning that IATSE members had voted by an overwhelming margin — 98% — to authorize their leadership to call a nationwide strike against film and TV productions. Reaction online was swift and nearly unanimously in support of the vote.
Alyssa Milano posted, “I support members of iatse [sic] in their demands for more humane working conditions.
“The vote passed with 98 % support and 90 % turnout. Tells you everything,” Jeffrey Wright observed.
Rosie O’Donnell praised crew members for their dedication and offered her support: “First to arrive – last to leave – i support good faith negotiations – i support #IATSE”
SAG-AFTRA Treasurer Joely Fisher posted Deadline’s story without comment. Frances Fisher wrote, “Congratulations!”
The Animation Guild, which had previously expressed support for IATSE, posted the following: “Congrats to our #IATSE kin for this powerful show of #IAsolidarity! We stand together and support their efforts for a #fairdeal!”
Actor Anthony Rapp observed: “This vote is a powerful message that enough is enough.”
IATSE To Hollywood Media Giants: “You’re Gonna Change The Way You Do Business”
Oscar winner Octavia Spencer said, “I hope #AMPTP does the right thing and sits down again. They’re not asking for anything unreasonable.”
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who represents the Downtown L.A. area in Congress, wrote: “As a former Union organizer who stood on the picket line with @IATSE workers in past strikes, I unequivocally and wholeheartedly stand with #IATSE.”
Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich put the vote in historical perspective. “This is the biggest private sector strike in the US in 10+ years, and the first in the industry’s 128-year history,” wrote Reich before calling it “a milestone moment for the labor movement.”
#IASolidarity I support members of iatse in their demands for more humane working conditions. https://t.co/AQdPfrZ7jn
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 4, 2021
IATSE Members Overwhelmingly Approve Strike Authorization; AMPTP Says It “Remains Committed To Reaching An Agreement” – Deadline @IATSE @sagaftra #IATSE #SOLIDARITY https://t.co/Sx1XpliJJ2
— Joely Fisher (@MsJoelyFisher) October 4, 2021
By a Nearly Unanimous Margin, @IATSE Members in TV and Film Production Vote to Authorize a Nationwide #Strike – #IATSE#Iasolidarity #IATSEsolidarity
@IA_Stories
Congratulations!!!!#StrikeAuthorization https://t.co/W9sN66nGFX— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) October 4, 2021
Hot damn!! Standing with our #IATSE coworkers and friends! https://t.co/KxVnU16KHk
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) October 4, 2021
Congrats to our #IATSE kin for this powerful show of #IAsolidarity! We stand together and support their efforts for a #fairdeal! #unionstrong https://t.co/zXjbtj4Y7N
— The Animation Guild (@animationguild) October 4, 2021
As a former Union organizer who stood on the picket line with @IATSE workers in past strikes, I unequivocally and wholeheartedly stand with #IATSE members – who voted to strike for safe working conditions – today and every day!#IASolidarity #UnionStrong https://t.co/og9DEZ3SNq
— Jimmy Gomez (@JimmyGomezCA) October 4, 2021
Our #IATSE brothers and sisters have spoken. They will #strike for better work conditions. I hope #AMPTP does the right thing and sits down again. They’re not asking for anything unreasonable. #IATSESolidarity
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) October 4, 2021
98.68 percent of @IATSE members just voted to authorize a nationwide strike for fair pay, adequate rest, and breaks.
This is the biggest private sector strike in the US in 10+ years, and the first in the industry’s 128-year history.
A milestone moment for the labor movement.
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 4, 2021
I stand with my colleagues in @IATSE. Now it’s up to the studios and producers who are negotiating with them to come through with meaningful changes in their working conditions. The overwhelming sense of unity delivered in this vote is a powerful message that enough is enough. https://t.co/fEeKq4IhyE
— Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National & NY Board Member (@albinokid) October 4, 2021
Crew are the lifeblood of our industry, not easily replaced cattle. They deserve sleep, safe conditions, and the chance to prosper with living wages. New media isn’t new. I stand with #IATSE. pic.twitter.com/PG8g3C4YL7
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) October 4, 2021
That’s how you fucking do it #IATSE!https://t.co/hG7mwDNWwW
— Kyle McVey (@rocket_kyle) October 4, 2021
As an actor on shows that had multiple 16-hour days, who nearly died twice falling asleep on the road driving home – I support IATSE in their strike.
To give this further context, as an actor I got to leave FIRST, after 16 hours. The crew was there longer. #IASolidarity #IATSE pic.twitter.com/crTAuzlevO
— Ann Mahoney (@ANNIEMOHO) October 1, 2021
Power. In. Numbers. #iatse https://t.co/yLDltEESw4
— Michael A. MacRae (@Michael_MacRae) October 4, 2021
As a friend just said to me, “This is vindication for decades of no one listening to us.” #IATSEsolidarity https://t.co/JMCvU7Th7R
— Amy Duddleston, ACE (@phantomframe) October 4, 2021
I stand with #IATSE. #IATSESolidarity pic.twitter.com/L2WSJ8au49
— Michael Sloane (@MichaelSloane) October 4, 2021