Writers’ Walkout Joined by ‘Abbott Elementary’ Star Quinta Brunson

Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson made a trip to New York for the Met Gala, posed in her Prabal Gurung gown and returned to work – in Los Angeles on the picket line. Brunson is a screenwriter, and the Writers Guild of America is on strike.

In a Twitter post, Brunson shared that she is a member of WGA, adding, “I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers!”

Thousands of unionized writers say they are missing out on their fair share of the money made during the streaming era. The strike started Tuesday and television production has come to an halt. It is the first walkout in 15 years.

The board of directors for the WGA voted unanimously for a walkout and said writers face an “existential crisis.”

Their statement added, “The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union work force, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing.”

But The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which is a trade association that bargains on behalf of studios, television networks and streaming platforms, said it has offered “generous increases in compensation for writers.”

Late-night talk shows have gone dark and have started airing reruns. NBC’s Jimmy Fallon also attended the Met Gala where he discussed the impact of the strike on his show.

Abbott’s Brunson and her cast had an impressive awards season, and her fans want to see more exciting episodes as do audiences for the many shows they watch on TV, theaters and streaming platforms.

Industry experts indicate the walkout could last for weeks or months and reverberate across Southern California where many businesses like florists, caterers, and others rely on the entertainment economy for revenue. The last strike lasted 100 days.