Get ready for some action, because the Writers Guild is taking on Apple! According to FilmmakerFocus, the guild is planning to bring their month-long strike right to the doorstep of Apple TV+ on Monday. And they’re not stopping there – the WGA and other supporting unions are also planning protests at Apple stores in Philly, D.C., NYC, L.A. and more. But here’s the twist: instead of picketing, they’ll be handing out leaflets at the various Apple outlets and locations.
This move comes just in time for Apple’s 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off on June 5. The tech giant is expected to unveil their upcoming mixed-reality headset, along with a livestreamed keynote from CEO Tim Cook.
While the WGA has been in front of studios’ gates daily and holding rallies in both NYC and LA, targeting the tech giant on their home turf could refocus the public’s attention on the Hollywood labor dispute. With an estimated 26 million subscribers, Apple TV+ is a small part of the company’s business, but with the global audience the annual conference attracts, Cook and his top brass are likely to feel the sting of greater scrutiny.
The WGA’s strike has been ongoing for over a month now, with no return to talks with the studios and streamers scheduled. And while the AMPTP just clinched a tentative deal with the Directors Guild, they have not been receptive to the WGA’s standing offer. As negotiations with SAG-ACTRA are set to begin on June 7, the Hollywood labor dispute shows no signs of slowing down.