On March 1, the Writers Guild of America West told its members that it had made the dramatic decision to cancel its annual awards ceremony, which was scheduled to be hosted by rising comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, amid a bitter labor dispute with its striking employees. The union clarified at the time that it would not force its members to cross the picket line to enter the ceremony.
And now, the would-be host of the show is headlining a new event: this one in support of striking union employees. The Writers Guild Employees Union (WGSU) announced Thursday that Okatsuka has been added to the roster of a comedy fundraiser for their effort that will be held Sunday at Bar Bandini in Echo Park.
Okatsuka, a WGA member herself, is scheduled to appear at the WGSU event alongside fellow artists Andrea Jean, Naomi Ekperigin, Jared Logan, Solomon Georgiou, Brian Cook, and David Veenhuizen.
“I’m a union girl,” Okatsuka said. Hollywood Reporter In a statement. “We are only as strong as the people behind the scenes!! We are one unit, so we must act like it.”
Okatsuka added, “I was supposed to host the awards this Saturday. A day to celebrate the hard work of artists in one of the most powerful unions in the United States. But can we really celebrate when the employees, who help support the union, demand that their needs be heard? I’m honored to stand with them.”
Will you perform some of the jokes you have planned at the WGA West ceremony? She said sure. “What else am I going to do with all this stuff Bugonia Jokes?
It’s the latest example of a WGA clerk showing support for employees as they struggle with union management to reach an agreement on their first employment contract. WGSU’s first “Solidarity Day,” designed for WGA members to come out and picket staff, was held on February 24. The next day is scheduled to be Friday.
Perhaps the most high-profile writer to speak out so far is Seth Rogen, who on March 1 made his bid to run WGA West while accepting an Actor Award from SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union. “Were you able to pay your employees enough to prevent the awards ceremony from being cancelled?” he joked on stage at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. “Take notes, WGA.”
The WGSU employee union went on strike on February 17 to protest alleged unfair labor practices, including surveillance of union members, termination of employment of a union organizer and bad faith bargaining. WGA West denied all of the accusations, saying it made “comprehensive” proposals during negotiations for WGSU’s first contract and that it “respects the employee union’s right to strike, and will continue to bargain in good faith.”
