Disney CEO Bob Iger says WGA/SAG-AFTRA’s Demands Are “Not Realistic”
In an appearance on CNBC, Iger called the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike “disturbing” and that the demands are “not realistic.”
During an appearance on CNBC this morning, Disney CEO Bob Iger gave his candid thoughts on the writers’ strike and the impending actors' strike.
“It’s very disturbing to me. We’ve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges we’re facing, the recovery from COVID which is ongoing, it’s not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption. I understand any labor organization’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver. We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and we’d like to do the same thing with the actors. There’s a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.” — Disney CEO Bob Iger
Iger called the strike “disturbing” and added that “this is the worse time in the world to add to that disruption.” Sure, Disney and many other Hollywood companies are going through a rough patch, but the writers have no other time to do this. If they don’t get a fair deal now, that entire career path could be non-existent in a mere few years without certain protections.
Iger understands the efforts of labor organizations to work on behalf of their people but he also said that the WGA’s expectations are “not realistic.” For what it’s worth, the writers' expectations are realistic. They want increased pay, better residuals, staffing requirements, AI regulation, and more. Nothing out of the ordinary, they just want the ability to make a living and a career out of writing. Something that many were able to do back in the day.
The timing is not great but it’s now or never for the WGA, and SAG-AFTRA is going to follow suit. Disney and other companies need to get their acts together because without the talent they will spiral. Some Hollywood executives are cruel and are hoping the WGA strike lasts until the point that writers start to go broke and lose their homes.
Iger continued on and said, “It (the strikes) will have a very, very damaging effect on the whole business, and unfortunately, there’s huge collateral damage in the industry to people who are supportive services, and I could go on and on. It will affect the economy of different regions, even, because of the sheer size of the business. It’s a shame, it is really a shame.”
Sure, that’s true but also Disney and other studios could easily settle this with the WGA and everyone could get back to work.
Disney will report its fiscal third-quarter earnings after the market closes on August 9. Boardwalk Times will be providing comprehensive coverage of Disney’s Q3 earnings.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
