LOS ANGELES - Unions representing various professions, such as teachers and truck drivers, gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Friday to show their solidarity with the striking film and television writers from the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The WGA initiated a work stoppage on May 2 after negotiations for better wages with major media companies, including Walt Disney Co, Netflix Inc, and Warner Bros Discovery Inc, reached an impasse.

In a demonstration of solidarity, several hundred members from various unions in the tourism, hospitality, education, logistics, and public sectors gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. These unions collectively represented over 200,000 workers whose collective bargaining agreements were also set to expire in 2023, according to organizers.

Lorena Gonzalez, executive secretary of the California Labor Federation, addressed the crowd, stating that the upcoming months would be characterized by significant labor activities. She emphasized the importance of unity among workers, highlighting that their collective strength would secure a better future for the next generation.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios, has claimed to have made "generous" offers regarding compensation increases for writers. However, there are currently no scheduled negotiations between the two parties.

Danielle Roderick, a writer, expressed her desire for the writers' strike to inspire a broader movement of people refusing to accept unfair treatment. Roderick, accompanied by her husband, who is also a writer, and their two children, attended the rally in support of the striking writers.

The participating unions shared a common demand for fair wages that would enable workers to afford the increasing costs of food, housing, and transportation, as stated by organizers.