In the midst of the ongoing strike in Hollywood, the issue of nonunion members still working on various projects has come into focus. These nonunion members have been derogatorily referred to as “scabs” by those participating in the strike. While soap opera actors, broadcast journalists, and some other on-screen talent have been exempt from the strike, they have faced criticism for continuing to work while their colleagues are not receiving paychecks.
Some writers and actors have chosen to exercise their legal right to partially sever ties with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), allowing them to work on both union and nonunion projects. This status, known as “financial core” or “fi-core,” is strongly discouraged by the unions. Those who opt for this status risk being labeled as scabs by their union colleagues.
Being a scab means that someone has left or declined to join a labor union, enabling them to work during a strike. This is seen as undermining the striking workers’ bargaining power. Some workers may leave a union for various reasons, such as disagreements with union decisions or an inability to afford membership dues. They may also desire the flexibility to work during a strike or accept nonunion gigs.
Supporters of the strike have taken to social media to name and shame individuals they suspect of being scabs. However, some individuals who were accused have clarified their stance and expressed support for the unions and the striking workers.
While financial core members have the ability to work on both union and nonunion projects, they face certain drawbacks. They are not eligible for the same legal representation, cannot attend union meetings or vote in union elections, and are not guaranteed the same pay or benefits as union members. Furthermore, they lack the same protections when working on nonunion productions as union members, which can result in a race to the bottom for wages and working conditions.
Only a few dozen writers and a few thousand actors are known to have gone fi-core. A-list celebrities such as George Lucas, George Clooney, Tyler Perry, and Sylvester Stallone have all opted for this status at some point. The decision to go fi-core is not necessarily indicative of an individual undermining the strike; in some cases, they may even support it.
While some performers have been allowed to work during the strike under approved contracts, some writers and actors believe that even those projects are undermining the strike’s goals. They argue that all actors should stand in solidarity with the strike, considering the benefits they receive from their unions.
SAG-AFTRA has defended its choices in exempting certain productions from the strike by stating that these projects have agreed to the union’s contract terms and are independent of the Hollywood studios the union is striking against.
As the strike continues, the debate over scabs and the involvement of nonunion members in ongoing projects will inevitably continue. It remains to be seen how this will impact the overall outcome of the strike and the demands of the unions.