The ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike saw a remarkable demonstration at the Los Angeles headquarters of Netflix on Thursday. The event, organized by the WGA’s LGBTQ+ writers committee, was titled “Striking 9-5 Picket – A Dolly Drag Event” and featured renowned actresses Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, along with a group of Dolly Parton drag queens. The movie “9 to 5,” in which Fonda, Tomlin, and Parton starred, served as the inspiration for the picket. The comedy film, released in 1980, earned an Oscar nomination for Parton’s chart-topping title song. Patricia Resnick, the screenwriter of the film, played an instrumental role in organizing the picket and also addressed the crowd, which swelled to over 400 attendees.
Fonda and Tomlin, who also starred in the Netflix comedy series “Grace and Frankie,” expressed their solidarity with the writers as actors. Fonda emphasized the relevance of the gig economy in today’s context, stating that if they were making “9 to 5” today, they would likely be gig workers, contracted out by one company to another, unaware of who their boss is. She highlighted the challenges faced by workers in the gig economy, including wage theft and the need to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet. Fonda passionately asserted that the concerns of the writers were shared by actors and called for a reevaluation of the business models of employers and studio executives who earn exorbitant salaries.
Following Fonda’s impassioned speech, Tomlin expressed her astonishment at the terms under which the writers were being asked to work, questioning how any writer could accept such conditions. She quoted former MGM producer Irving Thalberg, stating that writers are the most important people in Hollywood, without whom the industry would be nothing. Tomlin received applause from the crowd as she concluded Thalberg’s quote, emphasizing the need to ensure that the true value of writers is never undermined.
Resnick, a WGA member participating in her fifth strike, described the current strike as crucial, highlighting that the future of writing as a profession hangs in the balance. In addition to the star-studded appearances and speeches, the picket also paid tribute to Dolly Parton. Performances of her songs sprang up along the picket-line route, with passing cars honking their horns in appreciation. The L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America joined the demonstration by providing tacos for the crowd, adding to the sense of solidarity and support.
The demonstration at Netflix headquarters during the ongoing WGA strike showcased the unity between actors and writers in their fight for fair working conditions. The event, featuring notable figures such as Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, emphasized the significance of writers in the entertainment industry and called for a reevaluation of the prevailing business models. With performances and tributes to Dolly Parton, the demonstration brought together diverse elements of support and highlighted the determination of the striking writers to protect their profession.