As of earlier today, Hurricane Hiliary was strengthened to a category four hurricane with peak winds hitting over 130 miles-per-hour. Southern California is expected to get hit by this storm on Sunday, and although the hurricane will weaken to a category one, the WGA/SAG-AFTRA pickets on Monday have been canceled out of precaution. According to Deadline, “further cancellations could be made depending on the gravity of the damage.”
The strike for writers began on May 2, one hundred and nine days ago. This will be the first time since the beginning of the strike that it has been canceled. Via Deadline, “The remnants of Hurricane Hilary are forecast to hit Southern California including Los Angeles this weekend with tropical-storm-force winds (39-73 mph) and very heavy rain.” This is the first time in history the National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm watch for Southern California stating, “flash flooding will be possible across the whole region, with rare and dangerous flooding possible across the mountains and deserts.” Southern California residents are preparing themselves for heavy rain and potential electrical power loss. SAG-AFTRA released a statement to members on the West Coast stating, “for the safety of our members, picketing at ALL STUDIO locations will be suspended on Monday, August 21 due to Hurricane Hilary and anticipated heavy rain, wind, and possible flooding.”
If Monday is the only day the strikes in Los Angeles are affected, Tuesday is National Day of Solidarity, when SAG-AFTRA and WGA will come together with AFL-CIO and their affiliates from across the United States and across industries in the “Summer of Strikes”. On sagaftrastrike.org, a statement under ‘National Day of Solidarity’ reads, “…working Americans everywhere are fighting fair contracts, better compensation, safe working conditions, and protections from encroaching technology. Together, we are showing corporate America that when we fight, we win!”
Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA plan on getting right back out to the picket lines as soon as it is safe to do so.