The writers of iLarious have just become the first writers of content for an iPhone app to be represented by a labor union-- the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE). And why not?! Comedy writers working in digital media deserve the same rights and protections as other workers. The Writers Guild of America, known for our successful TV writers strike in 07-08 over new media jurisdiction and residuals, is fighting to make sure that writers are represented even as the media and employment landscape changes.
iLarious went union because company founder and comedy writer Fred Graver is himself a member of the WGAE and gets how important union representation is to writers.
Graver said, (from press release) "It's important to the founders of iLarious that we bring the best talent to the table, and that we put a stake in the ground in this newly developing territory. The new means of producing content allows us to be owners and creators at the same time -- and in the future, we look forward to being able to picket ourselves every few years."
WGAE Executive Director Lowell Peterson, who developed the union's Writers Guild 2.0 initiative, added, "Whatever the technology, writers will always benefit from membership in a creative community which is organized to advance their interests. The job standards enjoyed by writers in film and broadcast TV were built over the years by creative people working together. Signing on with the WGAE is a very important step for creators of digital media to gain the standing and strength they deserve."
For more check out coverage in FireDogLake's Work In Progress and Tech President.
Attn Holiday Shoppers: You can buy iLarious' first union-made appThis Just In online here. The app delivers 10-15 jokes a day riffing on the latest news and written by writers from "The Daily Show", "The Onion", "Human Giant" and "Saturday Night Live" and more!
Attn Holiday Shoppers: You can buy iLarious' first union-made app, This Just In online here. The app delivers 10-15 jokes a day riffing on the latest news and written by writers from "The Daily Show", "The Onion", "Human Giant" and "Saturday Night Live" and more!
By the way, this is my first blog post here as an employee of the Writers Guild of America, East. I was just brought on as Director of Communications. I appreciate all of the support you all have shown for my work with Workers United, SEIU prior to this and I look forward to continuing talking with you guys about fighting for worker's rights and creating an economy that works for everyone.