The WGA strike that began on May 2nd shows no sign of being resolved, and other unions are showing their solidarity. On Friday, this was evident for Star Trek-themed picket lines in both Hollywood and New York City.
Trek day for WGA strike
The WGA West and the WGA East both called for Star Trek writers to picket on Friday at the Paramount in Hollywood and at the Manhattan headquarters of Netflix. Star Trek writers showed up at both locations, joined by actors and others who have worked on the franchise.
Strange New Worlds writer/co-executive producer (and WGA strike captain) Bill Wolkoff shared a group photo from Hollywood. Writers and actors from Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, and Prodigy can all be seen showing their support.
Star Trek family picture. Not pictured: a fair contract. Photo by @JW_Hendricks #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/UTJE5RAwhe
— Bill Wolkoff (@flying_lobster) May 20, 2023
In New York, Lower Decks voice actress (and Starfleet Academy writer) Tawny Newsome shared photos that included actors Anthony Rapp (Discovery) and Celia Rose Gooding & Jess Bush (Strange New Worlds).
Today at the @WGAEast Star Trek picket in NYC, WE HAVE: some hotties, more hotties plus baby Rai, a damn good sign, and the man who created TUVIX. 🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL.🚨 #wgastrike pic.twitter.com/3qjtcxFrgf
— Tawny “My Name is Tawny” Newsome (@TrondyNewman) May 19, 2023
The local news in LA covered the Hollywood event and did a brief interview with Bill Wolkoff about the issues holding up negotiations with the studios.
Actors may strike next
The actors’ guilds contract ends on June 30 and actors are currently voting to authorize the union to strike if negotiations break down. Anthony Rapp (who is on the SAG-AFTRA board) has been encouraging his fellow actors to support the authorization. SAG-AFTRA posted a video of Voyager and Picard actress Jeri Ryan talking about why she is supporting the writers and how this also impacts the writers. The SAG-AFTRA
“The writers have got to be paid fairly, the actors have got to be paid fairly.”@JeriLRyan joined other #StarTrek cast and crew at the #WGAstrike picket line today 🖖 #WGAstrong #SAGAFTRAstrong #1u pic.twitter.com/WMrit7yCcD
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) May 19, 2023
The strike has already delayed the start of production on season 3 of Strange New Worlds and if it continues (and especially if the writers are joined by SAG-AFTRA and/or the DGA), it could delay Starfleet Academy and the Section 31 TV-movie. Even the animated shows could be impacted if the actors go on strike.
More from the Star Trek picket lines
Prodigy writer/co-EP Aaron Waltke had some sign synergy with DS9 writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe.
Wrote the sign. Then ran into the guy who wrote the episode it was from.
Great to meet you, @writergeekrhw! pic.twitter.com/bk86691Aw4
— Aaron J. Waltke (@GoodAaron) May 19, 2023
TNG actress Denise Crosby met up with Picard showrunner Terry Matalas.
With the cool @TerryMatalas picketing outside @ParamountPics. Huge @StarTrek turnout! #WGAstrong @sagaftra pic.twitter.com/FzOY2Cw7aH
— Denise Crosby (@TheDeniseCrosby) May 19, 2023
Enterprise actor Anthony Montgomery shared a shot with his co-star John Billingsley, Discovery‘s Mary Chieffo, and designer Mike Okuda.
Out here with some of my fellow Star Trek alums supporting the writers. #wgastrong #writerslife #sagaftra #leadbyexample pic.twitter.com/4JNtxF0XRU
— Anthony Montgomery (@MrAMontgomery) May 19, 2023
Prodigy showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman shared a shot with Lower Decks showrunner Mike McMahan and Strange New Worlds co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers.
Ultimate crossover.#WGAStrong #StarTrekSNW #StarTrekLowerDecks #StarTrekProdigy pic.twitter.com/7oHnaNyUZn
— Dan & Kevin Hageman (@brothershageman) May 19, 2023
They also ran into Jankom Pog voice actor Jason Mantzoukas.
Pog is in the house! It was great to meet Jason Mantzoukas is person after working with him for 3 years. #WGAStrong #StarTrekProdigy #StarTrek pic.twitter.com/xTbWtbpkNW
— Dan & Kevin Hageman (@brothershageman) May 19, 2023
Prodigy writer Jennifer Muro shared a shot of Kevin Hageman and Jason along with some cool Trek-themed signs.
Two of my other favorite signs today. Also, half of @brothershageman and Jason Mantzoukas🖖 #WGAstrong #Startrek #WGAStrike pic.twitter.com/3IgJhr5Z7k
— Jennifer Muro (@jennifermuro) May 20, 2023
Writer (and Trekspert) Mark Altman shared shots from the picket line including Enterprise writer Mike Sussman, Voyager/Enterprise showrunner Brannon Braga, Picard showrunner Terry Matalas, and DS9 actress Chase Masterson.
Making the Trek to Paramount to support our guild for #StarTrek Day. #wgastrike #wgastrong pic.twitter.com/UmJlxan4Gn
— Mark A. Altman * (@markaaltman) May 19, 2023
Discovery actor Elias Toufexis shared a brief video from inside the picket line.
Crazy day at the picket line with all my #StarTrek peeps. Walked about 4 miles and talked Star Trek with everyone for about 4 hours. pic.twitter.com/HncJY2Xf1z
— 🖖 (@EliasToufexis) May 19, 2023
Even Tuvix had a role to play in the strike (via writer Brian Michael Scully).
Absolutely my favorite sign in all of picketland. #JanewayWasRight pic.twitter.com/XSGt1ESybX
— Brian Michael Scully (@brianscully) May 19, 2023
Bill Wolkoff’s sign sums up the day…
The Star Trek family from shows past and present are out at Paramount right now (in New York too, at Netflix!), supporting a fair contract! Or as my favorite sign I’ve seen so far says, FIRST CONTRACT. #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/OydJG4q3D9
— Bill Wolkoff (@flying_lobster) May 19, 2023
source: trekmovie.com